MOSSEL BAY NEWS - The Mossel Bay Advertiser received a suggestion from a long-time member of the Mossel Bay Yacht and Boat Club (MBYBC) that the municipality actively support sailing in Mossel Bay.
The sailing supporter, Patrick Kelly, pointed out that a sailing school – the Skipper Foundation non-profit organisation – gives free sailing lessons to children who cannot afford it, but has no premises since it had to vacate the yacht club building three years ago.
The foundation is currently operating from a metal shipping container near Santos Beach.
Kelly had heard the current tenant of the former yacht club building was being evicted and wondered if there was a chance the municipality could rent the building or part of it from Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) to help boost sailing in Mossel Bay.
He points out that the municipality sold the yacht club building to TNPA in about 1994 so previously it was a municipal building.Kelly says the municipality promotes tourism in other ways, so it should also promote the town and make it possible for major sailing competitions to be held here again.
"If not the yacht club building, could the municipality make available another building for the Skipper Foundation?" Kelly said.
"It is the responsibility of the municipality to see that our sailing heritage of 66 years in the MBYBC is restored to our children."
The Advertiser put Kelly's suggestions to the municipality and received this reply: "Mr Kelly is welcome to approach the municipality directly and can contact Gwynnefer Harding, manager: Local Economic Development and Tourism at gharding@mosselbay.gov.za with regard to the consideration of the promotion of sailing within Mossel Bay."
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