World-Class Clubhouse for Sandringham YC - 15th November 2007 

Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC) today began construction on its new multi-million-dollar Clubhouse which will boast world-class amenities for its members and guests.

The new Clubhouse, which will be built for a total cost of $11.75 million, will be the most modern in Australia, according to SYC Commodore Bruce Eddington: “The new clubhouse will be arguably the best clubhouse and training facility in Australia,” said Mr Eddington. “Member facilities will be 25-30 per cent larger to cater for growth in the future and I am sure that this facility will be able to take us forward for the next 50 years,” he added.

FEATURES
Situated on the foreshore of Port Phillip Bay, the new Building will comprise a members’ bar, restaurant, an auditorium and classroom for training purposes, large entertainment room which will be available for functions for members and local community groups, and outdoor areas for eating and socialising: “The building will have Northern and Southern Podium areas which will increase the outdoor area of the current Clubhouse and take the place of the existing garden and barbecue areas,” said Bruce Eddington.

In physical size, the new clubhouse will be significantly bigger: “The existing Clubhouse has about 1600sqm of usable space,” said Eddington, “This new building has around 2700sqm of usable space including its training facilities so it is a much larger building and we will be able to cater to many more people and a wider cross-section of the community.”

FUNDING
The total building project has been costed at $11.75 million.

Funding has come by way of members, a bank loan and generous funding from both the Commonwealth Government and the State Government. Five million dollars was raised by members through debentures and extensions on marina pen leases. A further $5 million was raised through a bank loan. Seven hundred thousand dollars has been donated from the estate of the late SYC Member Ken King. An Australian Government training grant assisted with $437,500. A further $117,500 storm water grant was raised to assist with rainwater harvesting for gardens, toilets and boat hosing as well as a storm water retention and filtering system.

The building contract has been awarded to Kane Constructions Pty Ltd.

THE SITE
The site of the new building will have pride of place near the waterfront on the Sandringham Yacht Club property which is currently used as a car park: “The effect of what we have done is allow us to build the new clubhouse while we still occupy the existing clubhouse,” said Bruce Eddington.

“One of the main decisions was that we wanted the new clubhouse closer to the water and we will achieve that. When the new building is completed, the old clubhouse will be demolished and that area will become the car park.”

Utilising all the areas including the under croft of the new building, the club will increase car parking by around 100 spaces.

BUILDING STRUCTURE
The new clubhouse will be basically a concrete and steel construction on two levels.

The materials were chosen to protect the building from the harsh environment in which it will be built and the design was chosen so it is sympathetic to the area.

“We wanted the new clubhouse to be sympathetic to the environment and the local landscape and seascape so that it blends in as best it can to its surroundings,” said Bruce Eddington.

“Hopefully we have chosen wisely with regard to our materials so that the building has the best longevity we can provide at this time,” he added.

Sandringham Yacht Club’s new Clubhouse is scheduled to open in February 2009.

For More information:
Richard Hewett, Sandringham Yacht Club CEO. Phone (03) 9598 7444.