AMYC clubhouse redevelopment set to begin

AFTER years of planning and fundraising, Anglesea Motor Yacht Club is almost ready to begin redeveloping its clubhouse.

At the Surf Coast Shire council’s most recent meeting, Anglesea ward councillor Margot Smith said she was pleased to see the project finally going ahead.

“The Anglesea Motor Yacht Club after many, many years is poised to start building.”

Council will fund five per cent ($27,500) of the $550,000 project. The club has raised the rest of the funds through The Rusty Anchor Bar, the annual Roo Run, membership fees, and sponsors.

Anglesea Motor Yacht Club president Wes Smith said it had taken a considerable amount of work to reach this stage, not least because of the unique position of the clubhouse.

“It is after nine years. The existing building has born the brunt of coastal conditions. The place is falling down,” Mr Smith said.

“The unusual part of where it’s situated is that it’s on DELWP (Department of Environment, Land, Water, and Planning), so they’re our landowner, GORCC (Great Ocean Road Coast Committee) is our landlord, and of course any building to be done through the Surf Coast Shire.”

However, Mr Smith said it is now only a matter of months before work on the redevelopment could begin.

“We’ve got our building approval through from the Surf Coast Shire, we’re just waiting on the plans to endorse,” Mr Smith said.

“We’re considering a couple of tender documents now from builders, with an anticipated start of February next year.”

Mr Smith said while the improvements would serve more than just the club’s members.

“It’s not just a yacht club, it’s a community club.

“We have about 200 members, and they are family members, so if you average that out at about three per family that’s about 600 users of the club.”

The membership-based has increased significantly from over the years, as Mr Smith said a decade ago there were only a little over 30 members at the club.