Sailing is a rapidly growing sport and recreation creating demand for more facilities.

The Wollongong Yacht Club has occupied a small building at Wollongong Harbour for the last five years but it has always had limited space.

On Monday Wollongong MP Paul Scully had some good news for the club when he awarded it $15,000 for the construction of an awning and pergola. “This will expand their space in the cafe area,” he said.

Wollongong Yacht Club’s Stephen Phillips said the awning would extend out to provide good shaded coverage over a large area.

“We have a large number of new people coming through in the last 18 months. This will mean our members and their families will have protection from the rain, wind and sun. We get quite a few people down here sailing and participating in events. It will be good to be able to give them a better social venue afterwards. Sailing is not just a sport it is a lifestyle activity.”

Ms Scully hoped the improvement will fit in well with other improvements happening around the harbour.

"I am going to continue to push the government to get the fenced-off section sorted out. It would be nice if it was done leading into summer. Once we get that land remediated we can open up a bit of space there and encourage people to come down. The slipway tender has been let. And we know we have a medium to long term Harbour Master Plan”.

Mr Scully said the yacht club was one of 26 local not-for-profit community and sporting groups to share in over $337,000 in funding under the Community Building Partnership (CBP) program in his electorate.

Source: Illawarra Mercury

Photo: Greg Ellis