New premises for sailing trust

After more than 25 years of operating from the former MAF shed at the bottom of Opua wharf, the R Tucker Thompson Sail Training Trust is moving into more spacious premises.

Love Opua chairman Dr Brian Hepburn said it had been difficult for the trust to meet and greet each year’s 16 voyages, particularly in adverse weather.

The makeshift tents it had had to erect on the wharf for maintenance projects were also unsuitable during bad weather, making life difficult all around.

“As the trust’s landlords, we have agreed to build a new shed that will provide decent office facilities for the youth team, a space for crew meetings and a large space big enough for spars to fit in during maintenance,” Dr Hepburn said.

“There will also be sufficient shelter pre and post-voyage, so families don’t have to stand on the wharf in the rain.”

The ratepayers’ and residents’ association had been working on the project with the trust for 18 months, he said. Dismantling the old shed — formerly the old incinerator building going back to the Harbour Board days — had begun, and a contract has been let for the new building, with work to start in the next two weeks.

“We expect the trust will be able to move into the fully completed building in October, although parts will be completed in stages,” he said.

“Far North Holdings and the trust are pleased to have been able to work out an arrangement that helps secure the long-term future for the R Tucker Thompson in the Bay.”