The Pahi Tere Trust

The Club

 

The Royal Akarana Yacht Club Inc (“RAYC”) has for 113 years contributed significantly to the rich history of sailing on the Waitemata Harbour and organised most ocean races that have left the shores of New Zealand over the last 52 years.

 

Recently, RAYC has established the RAYC Sailing Academy which is one of the few “Learn to Sail” (“LTS”) schools in the area run by professionals introducing hundreds of children to sailing.

 

RAYC activities range from the LTS Academy, and a series of small boat classes suited to youth competition through to adult learn-to-sail as well as some races for larger yachts including traditional “blue water” races to overseas destinations. The proximity of the new Orakei marina, although a separate organisation, has enhanced the RAYC position.

 

In the past season the RAYC learn-to-sail courses have been fully subscribed with 150 participants in four programmes during each summer season.

 

Being located on “the Landing” in the eastern corner of Okahu Bay, RAYC recognises the importance of the site it occupies. The current building represents many years of RAYC tradition but requires upgrading to suit the modern demands of the boating interests and the community.

 

RAYC seeks to substantially refurbish its clubrooms and provide better facilities and improved boating opportunities for the wider community.

 

 

 

The Club’s lease

 

In the past 7 years RAYC has worked closely with Auckland City Council (ACC). RAYC has signed a commitment for a long term lease (“the Lease”) with ACC on the basis of a development (“the Development”) of RAYC’s clubhouse facilities. RAYC now has an opportunity to progress the Development with that objective being supported by ACC.

 

Being a lease of an ACC community facility site, the Lease limits the ability to generate a commercial return which means that RAYC must rely on financial grants to undertake the Development.

 

The Trust

 

 “The Pahi Tere Charitable Trust” (“the Trust”) is a charitable trust established with Charities Commission approval to fund the construction of the new building and support other maritime and boating charitable purposes. The Trustee of the Trust is Pahi Tere Trust Limited.  

 

The Trust needs to raise funds for the Development to lock in the features of the extended lease provisions for the benefit of RAYC’s members and Auckland’s boating community including the general public.

 

The Trust has prepared a strategic funding plan involving three major sources:

 

• RAYC and interests associated with the boating community (including possible occupiers of the new building)

 

• associations with other important community entities;

 

• major charitable trust entities in the Auckland area and elsewhere.

 

Features of the Development

 

Features of the Development include:

 

• Expansion of the current RAYC “Learn to Sail” (LTS) Academy currently constrained by lack of proper training facilities, seminar rooms, showers and toilets.

 

• The conveniently large and level site. Recently a report for ACC (concluded after extensive consultation) confirmed that development of facilities at this location was the logical position in the Auckland area and should be supported.

 

• Proximity to central Auckland and in particular, Auckland University, AUT and other tertiary education providers, with relatively easy access from all points of the compass.

 

• Proximity to good training waters for sailing. However launching and retrieval facilities need to be enhanced during moderate to fresh winds in the north through north east.

 

• Adjacent ground area for preparation, rigging and other requirements of the sport of sailing together with yacht trailers.

 

• An extended tenancy in terms of the Lease and with adequate area for the buildings envisaged.

 

• The enhancement of visual amenity of the whole Hobson Bay – “Landing” area to assist measures being initiated by ACC.

 

• The bringing together of a broad range of levels within the sailing fraternity.

 

• Provision of land based support facilities for the marina and berth holders, including possible assistance with security.

 

In terms of the wider community the Trust has been advised that RAYC is unable to expand its offerings to them due to RAYC’s aged building and infrastructure. It is noted that RAYC already does much with the wider community by

 

• offering LTS programmes including those for adults as well,

 

• assisting local schools training many nights during Terms 4 and 1,

 

• providing a base for the Club managed fleet of small “Platu” keelers both for training and yacht racing competition at a senior level.

 

• providing yacht racing management in the weekends and conducting many of the significant events on the Auckland sailing calendar.

 

There remains a possibility that other organisations currently located at, or in proximity to, the Landing may locate to the new clubhouse as it is logical for all complementary activities to be integrated at the Landing area.

 

The objective is that the new facility will meet the needs of yachting and boating at The Landing extending well into the next 50 years.

 

The Development

 

The Development proposed by the Trust is to use the existing occupation rights and the prime position at the Landing to develop a building which would incorporate an enhanced RAYC clubhouse and related facilities.. Part of current RAYC facilities will be rebuilt,.

 

Every effort will be taken to ensure that the result is visually pleasing and within the estimated cost of $4.5 million.

 

On securing funding it is proposed that construction will commence from either April 2010 or, if adequate funds are not then to hand, April 2011. It is intended to be substantially completed within nine months.

 

During construction RAYC can be housed in the existing Neptune Hall together with the rear sections of the existing boat storage sheds. Those areas will then be upgraded as a further phase of the project.

 

Incorporated within the Development will be the following:

 

• a substantially refurbished part two storey 2000 sq metre complex of buildings to be partly occupied as a new RAYC clubrooms.

 

• facilities for yacht and boating sports men and women targeted toward the needs of those actively involved in enhancing their skills and enjoying their sport.

 

• a sailing centre and the LTS Academy including improved changing rooms, showers, toilets, seminar rooms and facilities to support National and International boating events.

 

• better utilisation of the existing ground area “footprint”.

 

• boat launching and protection facilities that will be extended and improved.

 

• a “family friendly” public restaurant designed to capture benefits from the prime waterfront position.

 

• facilities that support RAYC and its operational requirements, which could also be used by the community for functions.

 

• a marina office facility may be incorporated on the south western side of the building. Elevation of this office could enhance marina security surveillance.

 

a boat yard hardstand and haulout office.

 

• under-building parking both for yachts, support craft and related vehicles.

 

The Trust will not proceed with the Development in any form until adequate sources of funding are clearly identified and committed.

 

The Development will provide facilities for RAYC, directed to increasing community involvement and to provide a home for enhanced sailing facilities designed to assist in achieving better results at World Championship and Olympic level.

 

To do this the Trust needs an integrated approach from the boating community and supportive community trusts.

 

Support by ACC has already been made by way of the Lease having provision for an extended term tenancy.

 

Such a building will support the wider community in Auckland and also enhance Auckland’s image as the “City of Sails”.

© Royal Akarana Yacht Club 2009

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