Rickmansworth Sailing Club celebrates grant successes

Rickmansworth Sailing Club is set to receive £50,000 in grants © RSC

Rickmansworth Sailing Club, which sails on Troy Lake, West Hyde, Rickmansworth, will celebrate receiving more that £50000 in grants during a reception at the club on 23 September 2012.

Some of the grants are from the £135m "Places People Play" Olympic legacy programme including £32000 from the Sport England Inspired Facility Fund, and £10000 from The National Lottery Sport England Fund.

The £32000 grant will replace old pontoons, used to get in and out of boats, with a modern plastic modular system, and also go towards the cost of re-decking the main access bridge. Two new dinghies, which will allow local people to try sailing and have sailing lessons, will be bought with the £10000 grant topped up with additional funds from the club.

In addition the RYA Small Grants Programme has awarded £2000, matched by £2000 from club funds, which will be used for a new set of racing marks and help towards the cost of new boats.

The Environment Agency, Three Rivers District Council and Hertfordshire County Council Community Grants Budget have between them awarded nearly £6000 for the bridge re-decking, and the Co-operative Group has provided nearly £500 for new buoyancy aids.

RYA sailing development officer for London Steve Mitchell worked with the club starting in February this year to advise on club development and availability of grants. Steve says: "Whilst I can provide guidance, it needs committed individuals in a club to focus on funding and make the process happen. Martin Smethers, grants officer at Rickmansworth, and his team did just that and raised this very significant sum in only five months.

"The new facilities make the club more attractive, welcoming and safe for existing and new members. They provide a great basis for further development, and I look forward to working with the club on that."

Club commodore Paul Johnson said: "We are delighted to have been awarded these grants. The new pontoons are safer and easier to maintain. These investments will move the club towards the quality facilities we want to provide for our members, and will help to attract more members."

The clubs' grants officer and past commodore Martin Smethers added: "Rickmansworth SC is a strong local club and is always looking to attract new members. Our project is opening up our club and giving people in the Rickmansworth area the opportunity to try their hand at sailing for the first time in these brand new boats.

"We're delighted to have received funding to make it all happen."

Other local organisations which use the club's facilities and will benefit from the improvements include U3A, Royal Life Saving Society, Batchworth Dragon Boat Club and local angling groups.

Councillor Kemal Butt, Chairman of Three Rivers District Council and David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary and MP for South West Hertfordshire have been invited to make the formal presentation of the cheques.

David Gauke commented: "Rickmansworth Sailing Club has always had a strong sailing tradition both locally and nationally. This money is an investment in helping young people and securing the future for the club, allowing it to work on development plan aimed at increasing membership and providing improved modern facilities."

For more information on Rickmansworth Sailing Club visit www.rscsailing.org

For more information on how the RYA can help with sailing and boating club development, including finding funding, visit www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/clubsclass/development/Pages/default.aspx