Baltimore Sailing Club reopens after €400,000 revamp

Baltimore Sailing Club members have celebrated the launch of their newly refurbished clubhouse. Designed by architect John McCarthy and built by local builder, Michael Joe Leonard, the new clubhouse’s enhanced include a new shower block and spaces for events, training, seminars and storage and improved dingy parking.

Re-built at a cost of €400,000, the club was supported by Cork County Council and West Cork Development Partnership, with match funding provided by the club and donations.  Founded in 1952, Baltimore Sailing Club has more than 600 members, including several overseas members. 

Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Agriculture, Food, the Marine & Defence attended the official opening on 20 July, along with hundreds of local and national sailors, visitors and the local community.

Minister Coveney said: “Baltimore is a very special place in West Cork, and the vibrancy is palpable from the moment one arrives here. There is an obvious high level of co-operation between the various groups in the village and its hinterland, culminating in the re-building of this impressive structure, offering outstanding facilities for locals and visitors.”

“The Government and its agencies including West Cork Development Partnership, and Cork County Council, are delighted to lend support to the project, in the knowledge that it is significantly improving marine infrastructure in Baltimore”.

“The Government has also supported the building of the new pier and service buildings in Baltimore, and I feel sure that, in the future, this harbour will see many new developments for the better in this wonderful part of west Cork.”

Forthcoming events
The inaugural Women on the Water (WOW) event on 12 August 12 in aid of Breakthrough Cancer Research (part of Cork Cancer Research Centre) will see craft of all shapes and sizes on the water, with onshore fun for all the family. The club will also participate in Bart’s Bash, one of the first clubs in Ireland to register for this massive world-wide charity event.

The clubhouse will also be used by local organisations such as the Baltimore Bridge Club, RNLI, local festival groups and defibrillator personnel, truly embracing all strands of society in the area. See website here www.baltimoresailingclub.com

 
See article at Pratical Boat Owner – click here