Clubs get that sinking feeling
The move to smaller premises will raise membership costs
JUST two months since the Point Yacht Club (PYC) celebrated its 125th anniversary, the club members were ordered to vacate the premises within 60 days along with other water sports clubs on Vetch’s Beach.
The notice was issued by the Durban Point Development Company to make way for the multibillion-rand Point Waterfront development.
Three other clubs were also affected: Durban Undersea Club (DUC), Durban Ski Boat Club (DSBC) and Durban Paddle Ski Club (DPSC).
The development will include the extension of the promenade. For the next two years, clubs will operate from a temporary site next to the harbour and later move to a permanent site under the promenade.
The club’s commodores say the relocation could have negative financial implications.
PYC commodore Craig Millar said the relocation would deprive upcoming water sports enthusiasts who are keen to join the clubs, due to the cost.
He said the permanent facility on offer would be smaller than their current site and some of it would be allocated for parking.
“This equates to approximately 140 parking bays. Members would also have to pay extra for this parking.
“The site would be rate-free but a monthly rent of R108 360 would apply.
“This would be subject to an annual escalation and the lease would last 15 years with a further 10 years option to renew.
“Fifteen years with a possible extra 10 years at an unknown rental is hardly a secure future for our sports when compared to freehold land.
“We are now compelled to reduce the membership numbers, and members are going to have to pay extra.
“This means that water sports are going to be for the elite. Our main aim is to encourage everyone, especially young people.
“We have been fighting hard to protect these clubs and their rich history. We are expected to sign the two new lease agreements within seven days, one for a temporary facility and another for a permanent facility.
“This is firstly not possible as our clubs’ constitutions require a two-week notice period to call for a special general meeting to ratify a decision of this nature,” said Millar.
In a joint statement, the clubs also stressed that the developers, DPDC, have stated that they would not guarantee the provision of a temporary facility as it had not been approved by their board.
“Should we be provided with this temporary facility (which has yet to be built within the two-month notice period), the clubs would have to pay for the fitting out of the bare shell which will then be demolished two years later. “Two years would not suffice to amortise the fitting-out costs.
“There are various other clauses, as read with the agreements as a whole, which are hazy and appear to leave the clubs singularly and collectively unprotected should the development phases not go according to plan,” read the statement.
Millar said catering and recreational facilities would be limited, which would have negative financial implications and a possible drop in membership over the next two years.
“We are in the process of approaching DPDC to clarify their position and to discuss the way forward, before deciding on the next step. We shall try to avoid any legal action as far as possible. However, we shall not hesitate to do so should it become necessary. Our legal team is of the opinion that we have extremely strong grounds on which to challenge the eviction notices.
“We hope that we shall soon be able to resolve our differences in the arbitration proceedings, so we can all move forward and be able to negotiate a better future for the water sports fraternity of this city.”
The final structure of the Point Watersports Club (PWC) is currently under arbitration between DUC and Durban Ski Boat Club on one side and PYC and Durban Paddle Ski on the other. The arbitration hearing was scheduled to commence in July.