New direction for yacht club after withdrawal of potential investor

CITY of Coffs Harbour will take on responsibility for part of the Coffs Harbour Yacht Club facility on Marina Drive, following the withdrawal of a potential investor in the site.

Bar and restaurant activities at the Yacht Club ceased on 30 March.

Under revised arrangements announced on Tuesday, the Yacht Club’s board will now utilise the ground-floor level facilities and surrounding open spaces to prioritise community sailing.

The City, which is the appointed Crown Land manager for the site, will take on responsibility for the first floor of the building and any commercial opportunities stemming from that area, including hospitality options.

“Any profits generated from the facility will be utilised in maintaining the reserves,” Business Services Director Steve Bayliss said.

The new direction was decided upon by the club’s board after a potential investor in the Marine Drive site notified its withdrawal from an exploratory process.

Yacht Club Commodore John Wait said the City has been “very supportive of the club in actively seeking a funding partner to redevelop the site”.

“Unfortunately, we have not been successful in gaining a final proposal,” he said.

Mr Wait said the agreement with Council will allow the Club to focus on sailing.

“We believe we’ll get heightened interest from the community to join the club’s board as it’s freed from the commercial operations of running a bar and restaurant,” he said.

“The club can now confidently move forward to focus on growing competitive ocean sailing and regattas and recreational sailing, which has always been at our heart.

“Additionally, we’ll be able to continue to manage smaller commercial opportunities from that ground floor and surrounding space, such as food vans.”

Mayor Nikki Williams congratulated the Club’s board on its decision to “move toward a sustainable and successful future”.

“The club’s pivot to concentrate on growing its community support ushers in a new chapter for a facility that has become something of an institution for locals and visitors,” she said.