Yacht plan may bring marina (From Barry And District News)

Yacht plan may bring marina

BARRY Yacht Club's massive £450,000 redevelopment scheme could be the first step towards a marina in the town.

The club's transformation, which includes the new workshop and the refurbishment of the old lifeboat house, may be the launching pad for future regeneration.

It was officially opened on Monday, welcoming Assembly Minister for economic development and transport, Andrew Davies as one of its first visitors.

He was impressed with the site and talked of how vital regeneration schemes are to the local economy.

Mr Davies said: "A similar project in Brittany has led to a national sailing school being put in their marina. They have turned their rundown area around and it has provided an economy for the people there. The old industries have gone and need to be replaced by something."

His views were echoed by Andrew Dakin from the Welsh Development Agency (WDA).

He said: "Welsh Development Association representative, Andrew Dakin said: "Nine to ten years ago we started the development in Barry and we are continuing this.

"It is said that it takes a generation or at least 20 years for a regeneration to take shape.

"We need to get the environmental, social, educational and economic balance right."

The club's scheme was funded by members who raised £100,000, a £168,000 grant from Sport Lotto Wales and Welsh Development Agency.

Commodore Roger Donkin said: "We are very happy with the development that has occurred here. We are trying to attract new younger members. We also have events planned for the future.

"In particular we want to get long boat racing into the yacht club calendar."

The land has been cleaned up and the old lifeboat house has had a floor put in which means seminars can be held upstairs.

This doubles as a training area for young sailors and there has already been a great response from Barry to learn the art of sailing.

Security measures have been tightened up in order to safe guard the club members' boats.