Moresby’s RPYC

is to move house

Port Moresby’s Royal Papua Yacht’

Club is almost certain to move to new premises.

The club’s commodore, Dr Phil lip Spradberry, said in May the club had plans to build an aquatic sporting complex at Gabutu, near Koki, at an estimated cost of K 1 million.

This meant shifting the club from the city’s harbor area to an open shoreline.

The clubhouse and its mooring area are located in a downtown city area, sandwiched between the busy wharf area and the Defence Force naval base.

“One of the main reasons why we plan to move to Gabutu is because of the expanding container wharf,” Dr Spradberry said.

He said the container wharf could occupy the club’s entire waterfront in about five years.

“Losing the waterfront would mean losing one of our major facilities,” he said.

He said the wharf re-devel opment was at stage one and when it reached stage two would occupy the whole waterfront, from the wharf to the naval base.

“The other reason we have to move is because of the busy Stan ley Parade which runs in front of the clubhouse, separating it from the waterfront.

“The road gets quite busy and becomes very dangerous for the club members and customers.”

Dr Spradberry said the Gabutu area had more space and water area, an advantage for aquatic sports such as fishing, skiing and scuba diving.

Dr Spradberry said it was hoped the Gabutu aquatic complex, when built, would become “the finest in the Pacific”.