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Stage 1 is complete
CRU Lake Mac: Stage 1 is complete!
CRU’s heart is to see the next generation knowing Jesus. Give thanks to God that the completion of Stage 1 of the Lake Mac redevelopment has already allowed us to connect with a new cohort of campers!
Year 12 students on a CRU Study Camp which started on July 5 th were the first camp to utilise the new cabins. The program was directed by Emmerson Brumby, a Bachelor of Arts and Advanced Studies student at the University of Sydney, who herself had come to faith on a CRU Study Camp at Galston.
Numbers were capped this year due to the need to meet COVID restrictions, and strict procedures were followed, yet the campers loved the new facilities and the whole feel of the site. “The campers all raved about the modern facilities, the prime waterfront views, and all the green space available to run around playing sport or to chill out in the sun. It’s state-of-the-art and will be such a huge asset in facilitating CRU’s ministries for many years to come,” Emmerson commented.
A session on Study Skills was presented by Matthew Hill, Director of the Barker Institute, and son of CRU’s Executive Director, Gary Hill. “Having created so many memories on this site, and knowing how many years of prayer, planning and hard work had gone into its redevelopment, I was excited to be part of the first camp,” said Matthew. “The Boathouse Meeting Room was a great location for the Study Skills session, but really all the new facilities are amazing, and will prove hugely attractive to schools, churches and all sorts of camp programs.”
The construction work was completed ten years after the last piece of the Galston redevelopment, the dining hall, was finished in 2010. Key milestones in that time have included:
- Almost 5 years of exploration of alternate locations between Brooklyn and Raymond Terrace in case a better site was available (which it wasn’t).
- The unification of the site in 2013 when Lake Macquarie City Council agreed to sell us the unformed portion of Lake Rd which had previously bisected the land and limited redevelopment options.
- The acquisition of 100 acres on the other side of Yarrawonga Park Road in 2015, allowing total site capacity to grow as well as providing options for bivouac and challenge programs.
- The appointment of Glendenning Szoboszlay as architects following a design competition in 2017.
- The funding of the construction work by generous donors and foundations who between them contributed $20m, with additional $5m funding from the Australian Government through the Building Better Regions Fund.
- Construction by Stephen Edwards Construction began in February 2019, while regular camps ran alongside using the existing A-frame cabins and hall.
- In June 2019, buoyed by the generous support for our fundraising, and recognising the cost savings which would come from acting promptly, CRU’s Board approved the construction of a 5th new cabin.
- July 2020 saw the first CRU Camp use the new cabins!
We look forward to seeing more students, teachers, churches and community groups thriving as they enjoy using these wonderful new facilities.
The climbing tower
The dining hall
The boathouse
This project is funded by the Australian Government through the Building Better Regions Fund
