YACHT CLUB NEEDS FUNDS
Christchurch’s Pleasant Point Yacht Club is in recovery mode following the devastating destruction it suffered in the 2010 earthquakes – but it needs help.
“It’s been a long and rocky road,” says club spokesman Nigel Humphreys. “The 2010 Canterbury earthquake wrecked our buildings and facilities beside the South New Brighton Bridge, but there have been numerous other hurdles since then.
“We had to shift our sailing programme to the Naval Point Club Lyttelton and Mount Pleasant Club. And then the estuary was closed to sailing in 2011 because of polluted water. Soon after the committee put the club into recess for over a year, all while looking to find a new site suitable for building a new clubhouse and facilities. We made do with a temporary base – five shipping containers in the South New Brighton Park in 2013 – without power, hot showers or toilets.
“One of the containers was damaged by a falling tree in a March 2014 storm, and in March 2015 thieves made off with valuable equipment from a training boat. And if that wasn’t enough, in February 2016 an arson attack damaged junior training yachts and an inflatable coach boat and wrote off the storm-damaged container.” But the club has turned the corner. The committee continued with developing designs for the new facilities and in February last year signed a lease with the Christchurch City Council for a proposed building site. Structural engineers completed the detailed design work for two buildings. Tenders to the work were distributed in February this year – for the first time giving the club an inkling of the likely cost.
“Early on in the design phase,” says Humphreys, “we thought our insurance money was going to cover about two thirds of the cost. Then we thought maybe half … but in reality we have about a third of the total needed. In round figures we need to find a million dollars.”
FUNDRAISING
The club’s engaged a professional fundraising manager and has also established a Give a Little page – https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/ help pleasant point yacht club rebuild.
“We are looking for donations from members and supporters of the club,” says Humphreys. “Past members, New Zealand’s yachting and sporting communities, friends and family – even those we’ve never met yet who want to help a grass-roots club looking to get back on its feet again.
“In 2021, Pleasant Point Yacht Club will be celebrating a centenary of sailing – and Team New Zealand will be defending the America’s Cup – and we want to be watching it in our new clubhouse!”
Nigel can be contacted on 03-349 2422.