Lt-Governor opens new clubhouse for Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club
AFTER months of hard work, the Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club has officially opened the doors of its new clubhouse.
Situated between Folies and Amigos at North Plantation, the former Seaquest Chandlery building was transformed by club member volunteers to provide a new social space.
RCIYC commodore Julia Schaefer was glad to see the project completed after spending most of her life outside work at the building site.
‘We are absolutely delighted,’ she said. ‘We have waited for this for so long.’
Since moving in November from their previous location above what was previously The Catch, after the lease had expired, the opening of the new clubhouse had been highly-anticipated among members.
‘I am the first female commodore in the club’s 160-year history so I am very pleased to be able to present our members with a nice clubhouse for the coming decade,’ Ms Schaefer added.
‘It was not an easy journey by any means... but there was much camaraderie among members assisting.’
Work included the installation of new plumbing, complete electrical rewiring, and stripping of all walls, and a building contractor came to install heavy goods such as stud walls for the new toilet block.
‘There was very clearly a desire for membership and need for a clubhouse,’ Ms Schaefer said. ‘There are a steady flow of membership applications.’
Lt-Governor Lt-General Richard Cripwell was glad to open the new clubhouse.
‘They have created a fabulous facility,’ he said. ‘It has been down to people’s ambition and initiative to make this happen.’
The club was important for developing relationships with others, he added.
‘It really is remarkable the length of time the club has been going.’
Becky Diacono, the wife of a former commodore, said that she and her husband were impressed with the new site.
‘There is loads of potential. We are both very proud of everything the commodore and the rest have done.’
Club member Richard Babbe had worked on the site daily.
‘We are very pleased and there is an excellent turnout,’ he said.
‘It has been a lot of work but worthwhile.
‘We have a modern take on what a royal yacht club might be, and are hoping to do the best for our members.’
