Parkdale's new Yacht Club officially opens
The newly-redeveloped Parkdale Yacht Club has been officially opened providing modern and accessible new facilities for its members and opening the club up to additional community groups.
The $2.9 million upgrade, which included a $100,000 contribution from the Parkdale Yacht Club, has transformed the aging building, with a fit-for-purpose design that maximises the use of the space while retaining the existing footprint. The new facility now able to be used by Kingston District Girl Guides and Beach Patrol Australia as well.
Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said the redevelopment of the Parkdale Yacht Club will ensure these important community organisations have facilities to use well into the future as club membership numbers continue to grow.
"This fantastic project has been several years in the making and was designed in collaboration with the clubs and wider community," said Cr Staikos. "The new building includes a number of terrific features, such as a water storage unit on the roof which is a sustainable way of capturing the water needed to wash down yachts and items used for recreational boating."
Other key features of the new Parkdale Yacht Club building include:
- A new race control room which increases visibility and improves safety for competitors
- Energy-efficient lighting and air conditioning
- An accessible building which meets DDA requirements – making it available to everyone, including community members with limited mobility, and
- A huge storage area to house equipment.
"This large modern design is a space that can be used for events, meetings and workshops and it's wonderful that three such important clubs can come together under the one roof in a space that works for all of them," said Cr Staikos.
Melaleuca Ward Councillor Tim Cochrane said the Parkdale Yacht Club has a long and rich history in Kingston, which brings together people with a passion for yachting to enjoy our beautiful bay. "It was really important that we created an up-to-date space for this organisation that has a long-history serving the Kingston Community," said Cr Cochrane.
"First established as a club in 1946 – the Parkdale Yacht Club's membership base has grown significantly over the years, and the former building constructed in 1964, had long passed its used-by-date."
Although the building works have been completed, design work is now underway for a new car park to be integrated with the Bay Trail. An interim car park and a temporary shared user path has been constructed, to allow community members to access the beach, Bay Trail and the Yacht Club Building.
"Delivery of the new car park will bring the investment in this project to $3.7 million. We anticipate its completion within the next 12-18 months," said Cr Staikos.
For details about the project visit kingston.vic.gov.au/parkdaleyc
