Building work under way at Solway Yacht Club to bring significant accessible improvements

Building work under way at Solway YC - Day 2 and the new fully accessible doorway created and work in progress © Ian Purkis

Thanks to a substantial grant from the Dumfries and Galloway Coastal Benefit Fund, serious building alterations are now well under way to create a fully accessible changing, showering and toilet facility within the main Clubhouse at Solway YC.

The Club's project has also enjoyed funding from donors locally and further afield in Scotland making it all possible. Work actually started back in June when a working party of Club volunteers set to and prepared the site thanks to the support of Solway Plant Hire donating a day's use of a mini digger. More recently another members' working party had everything cleared away ready, coinciding with the end of the sailing season.

Once completed, further improvements are anticipated to expand disabled accessibility both within the clubhouse and ultimately on the water.

Laura Cowan, RYA Scotland, Regional Development Officer (West), commented on the Club's project, "Just back from annual leave, and this is great news to come back to, well done. I look forward to seeing your new building's progress when I visit for my Disability Awareness Training Session in March".

Solway YC member, Ian Purkis (right) hands the Building Standards (Scotland) approved plans for the project to Paul Widdowson, Director of South West Trades - photo © Robert Dinwiddie

Several times previously, the Club has hosted the annual Sailability Scotland's Challenger Scottish Championships mainly, but not exclusively, for disabled sailors. The only way this was possible was with the great support of the Kippford Association in providing use of the Village Hall. However, with only a fully accessible toilet and no access to disabled changing or showering, the facility that could be provided was limited to the bare minimum.

The Club plans to again host the Sailability Scotland's Championships in 2027 and it will be a special occasion to see the new facility in use.

This project also contributes to the safeguarding of our young Cadet members as the disabled facility can be separately used by adults when the main changing and showering facilities are reserved for the exclusive use of Cadets. This provides a double benefit which is hugely welcomed.

Building work under way at Solway YC - Members enjoying welcome hot soup and traybakes after recent Working Party day, thanks to Social Secretary Liz Train and her team - photo © Ian Purkis