Sailing club undergoing extensive rebuild

The Torbay community is having to adapt while a popular community hub is rebuilt after falling into disrepair.

This winter, activities such as sailing, kayaking, yoga, Pilates, and others normally held at the Torbay Sailing Club will have to be held elsewhere.

The Waiake-based club is closed until summer as the 30-year-old building was in desperate need of repairs.

The building was demolished last Monday to make way for the new clubrooms designed by a local club member, Tymen Tolsma.

However, the inconvenience hasn’t dampened the enthusiasm of regular club users.

The refurbishment was planned for winter as sailing is a summer sport.

Although renovations have been planned for the sailing off-season, head coach Tommer Simhony said his teams are committed and will train throughout the winter.

“We’ll just make do without a clubhouse,” said Mr. Simhony.

The 22-year-old said the clubhouse was used for multiple team meetings, but said they would happily adapt and “draw in the sand”.

Michelle Bain, chair of the building redevelopment committee, said the many regular users of the club have found temporary locations such as beaches and community halls.

However, some groups have struggled to find new venues despite being given plenty of warning.

Beyond Pilates instructor Stephanie Goder said she had a “really hard” time finding another location for her classes as everywhere was booked.

However, the group has now found an alternative venue.

Ms Bain said once the renovations have finished, they will encourage the community to use the clubrooms again.

“Everyone’s really excited about this new building.”

Ms. Bain said the renovations have been actively looked at over the past three years, but have been discussed for a decade.

The clubrooms will be close to, if not complete, by the World Masters Games in April 2017.

The Torbay Sailing Club will be the sole location for the sailing segment of the games.

The games include 28 sports and over 25,000 people.