A NORTHSIDE sports club recently celebrated the completion of key renovation work at its premises.
Special guests and supporters, including Edel Currie of Dublin Port, Outgoing Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Richard Bruton, and Richard Nolan of Nolan’s Supermarket attended the official ribbon cutting ceremony at Clontarf Yacht and Boat Club.
Club Commodore Aidan Cronin welcomed the guests and members to the event.
“Our Club is 145-years-old and while we value our history and tradition, it is also essential that we move with the times,” he said.
“Over the past number of years it became increasingly apparent that our facilities were not fit for purpose.
“Our growing female membership had to contend with a limited number of showers and a subpar changing room.
“Our regular visitors from the CRC and St Michael’s House, as well as other visitors to the club with extra needs or mobility challenges, had very limited facilities.
“Yet we knew that making such improvements would be a huge undertaking for a volunteer run club with limited income.”
The club was successful in applying for a Sports Capital Grant and then embarked on almost a year long fundraising programme with events and members contributing to make up the final shortfall.
Commodore Cronin said: “Our members have been central to the successful delivery of this project with their generosity in offering their expertise, their knowledge and their time.
“The Sports Capital Grant was essential but it was only the beginning and ultimately the entire membership was critical to the success of the project as they fundraised and contributed to meeting the costs.”
In addition to the refurbishment of the women’s changing facilities, two chimney breasts had to be removed along with internal walls and new electrics and fire doors, fire alarm and emergency lighting had to be installed to bring the building up to code.
Commending Dublin Port and Nolan’s Supermarket for their support, the Commodore said: “As a volunteer-run club we operate on very tight budgets as we work to deliver the services for our members and our community.
“That’s why we are so grateful for the support we receive on an ongoing basis from our friends and neighbours.
“Dublin Port has been a longtime supporter of CY&BC and we are very grateful not only for the funding, but the practical support such as our excellent sign outside.
“Nolan’s have been a consistent friend to CY&BC with their annual sponsorship in our club diary.
“This year, they facilitated the selling of our calendar with no profit and it was a massive fundraising success for us. We are very grateful for their support and look forward to a continued partnership.
“I have to also say a special thank you to the elected reps who supported us in this application and throughout the year – now retired Finian McGrath, Cllr Damien O’Farrell, Sean Haughey TD, Cllr Deirdre Heney and Richard Bruton TD in particular.”
“As we approach the sailing season, it is fantastic to see these improvements to our club and I am looking forward to seeing all the results of the hard work being enjoyed by members and visitors to our club.”