YACHT CLUB SETS SAIL FOR NEW ADVENTURES WITH MANX LOTTERY TRUST

A long-established hub which plays a key role at the heart of the Island’s sailing community has been refurbished, thanks to a generous grant from Manx Lottery Trust.

The Isle of Man Yacht Club has received £35,000 to refurbish its showers and washroom facilities at its Lime Street base in Port St Mary.

It has been allocated from the Dormant Assets Fund, which is distributed by the Trust on behalf of Isle of Man Treasury. Dormant assets are funds which have been untouched for an extended period of time, and once attempts to trace their rightful owners and reunite them with their funds have proved unsuccessful.

Formed in 1910 by a group of enthusiasts from the Station Hotel in Port St Mary, the club provides a comprehensive sailing programme throughout the year for sailors of all ages, abilities, and interests, along with a healthy social scene for friends and families.

This includes a range of shore-based and practical courses for dinghies, cruisers, and powerboats, sail training for children from the age of eight upwards, regular cruises and fun sails, and a competitive racing series for mixed-fleet dinghies, sports boats, and yachts from April until September. The club also hosts the annual Round Mann Race each May.

The current clubhouse was built in 1975 when the male showers and washroom facilities were constructed before female showers were added in 2001.

Club treasurer, David Hill, said: ‘The refurbishment of our facilities will make a huge difference at our club, and we are extremely grateful to the Manx Lottery Trust for making this happen.

‘All existing racing crews will benefit from the improved set-up as well as those attending sailing and powerboat training courses. Until now, to avoid adults and children being in the shower facility at the same time, some adult sailors have chosen to change in the boat park, so this upgrade will benefit them too.

‘We always aim to make the clubhouse accessible and, as members get older, the need for disabled facilities is ever increasing. A chair lift was installed several years ago, and this has enabled a number of members to continue as a social member once their active sailing days are over.’

Chairman of Manx Lottery Trust, Sarah Kelly, added: ‘The Isle of Man Yacht Club is a great community club striving to introduce as many people as possible to water sports and an organisation which we are delighted to support. We hope the current members enjoy the new facilities and even more people from the local community are encouraged to come along and give the sport a go or take advantage of the clubhouse.’

As well as a training room, showers and a fully equipped kitchen, the clubhouse has free WiFi and can be booked for private functions and parties.

To find out more about the Manx Lottery Trust Dormant Assets Fund, please visit: www.mlt.org.im/grant-programmes