BYC Disability Project
Clubhouse access and bathroom improvements to support people with disabilities
Background
At the Annual General Meeting held on 8th December 2019, the Committee made a visual presentation to inform attending members of our future plans to improve access to the clubhouse for members, their guests and visitors with disabilities and medical conditions, plus to support our ageing membership.
Our clubhouse, now 40 years old, unfortunately was built at a time when disabled access was not given much consideration. Our doors are narrow and there are too many steps. Many members either due to age or disability find it extremely difficult or completely impossible, to access the clubhouse; especially the first floor and the toilets / changing rooms.
Some of our members have medical conditions requiring a toilet with more privacy plus the need of a handwash basin integrated within the toilet compartment itself.
Our membership is also getting that bit older. Out of our current 619 'adult' members: 62% are over 60 years old, & 40% are over 70 years old.
Each year the BYC Nore Race attracts entries from the "Hanningfield Sailability Project". Their members win prizes and like to attend the Nore Prizegiving at BYC. However they find our clubhouse extremely difficult to use due to our stairs and toilet facilities. As a modern day club, we find it unacceptable that we are unable to support their needs.
Our Plans
1) Install a dedicated disabled toilet and shower room to the ground floor of the club-house
This will be achieved by infilling the front of the clubhouse under the canopy area around the current front entrance door. Fitting out this area has three advantages:
1) The main building infrastructure is already in place, keep construction cost to a minimum
2) Provide a further large outer entrance hallway
3) Provide a much-needed storage room for our Entertainments Committee
A sketch showing the interior layout of the new building area is available at the bottom of this page.
2) Install a 'Wheel-Chair" lift to provide access from the ground floor to the first floor - completed in April 2021
Due to the space required, the Wheelchair lift will be installed externally, linked to the eastern balcony.
Much of the lift will be glass to provide good visibility and to improve aesthetics. The lift will be constructed to operate in our coastal environment.
Would you like to donate towards this project?
A good number of members have made a personal donation towards this project.
If you would also like to make a financial contribution to this worthy project, please send an email to Paul Field (project co-leader): click here to send an email. All correspondence / discussions will be treated in the strictest of confidence.
In line with the donor's wishes, donations can be either confidential or publicised.
