The oldest yacht club in Asia, the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club (RSYC), has unveiled ambitious plans to upgrade its services and facilities to meet the discerning needs of Singapore’s upcoming new generation of yachting enthusiasts, boaters and marina-going club members.
Republic of Singapore Yacht Club (RSYC) new S$9 million expansion project - Credit RSYC
After operating from its modern yacht club premises for 11 years, RSYC is poised to begin a new development phase that will triple its dry berth facilities from the current 110 boats to some 300 boats, making it the yacht club with the latest addition of dry berth facilities in Singapore. This will be in addition to RSYC’s 127 wet berths at the present West Coast Ferry Road location.
The 5-storey vertical dry stack, one of the main highlights of the expansion project which costs approximately S$9 million, will accommodate 300 boats up to 35 ft in length. It is expected that there will be high demand for dry berths amongst boat owners in Singapore, as they appreciate the advantages of keeping smaller size boats of below 35ft out of the water when not in use.
As well as upgrading the berthing facilities, the plan also calls for the doubling of its accommodation rooms, from the current 32 suites and rooms, to around 60, in a four-storey adjoining new wing that will also provide members with additional facilities.
Founded in 1826, RSYC moved to its current premises in August 1999, its third home since 1920. Its dry berths have been running at full capacity in recent years. In June 2010, the membership gave its Main Committee the mandate to expand, a plan conceived some two years ago by the RSYC Committee.
Besides the two new buildings, there are also plans to upgrade the existing Clubhouse.
As part of the overall strategic plan a membership drive will be launched on 5-6 March 2011. RSYC currently has about 2,400 members, many of who have requested for berthing facilities for their boats. To cater to new members who wish to take advantage of the expanded and upgraded dry berthing facilities, an additional 150 Ordinary Memberships will be offered with guaranteed berths for their boats (subject to availability based on the size of their yacht). Ordinary individual club membership is currently pegged at S$15,000.
The club plans to communicate to the regional boating community, as well as the Singapore country club community, RSYC’s numerous advantages as both a boating and a leisure facility, such as its rich heritage as Singapore’s first and original yacht club, its family-friendly, unpretentious and relaxing ambience and its connection to 101 reciprocal clubs worldwide. RSYC will also highlight its convenient yacht club location for boaters with its competitive fuel rates and strategic location close to popular destinations in Singapore’s waters.
The expansion project will commence in the first quarter of 2011 with construction of the new dry berths, to be completed within 6 months. Work on the new accommodation wing is expected to be completed by mid 2012.
Boat owners and aspiring boaters are encouraged to contact RSYC’s Membership Department to register their interest ahead of the planned launch on 5-6 March 2011. For enquiries, please contact us at +65 6768 9288/388 or member@rsyc.org.sg.
