PYC avoids closure
AO YON: An extraordinary meeting of Phuket Yacht Club (PYC) members on January 22 has staved off the threat of the club’s closure due to financial woes.
PYC Commodore David Ratcliffe told the Gazette, “The PYC will continue to operate at its current premises for at least another three years.”
He explained that the club had suffered a fall in revenue following the tsunami. “Before the tsunami we had quite an active junior sailing school, with about 20-25 kids every week – mainly kids from Thai-foreign marriages. But because of the tsunami, we had very little support last year.
“Businesses suffered and the kids’ parents’ time was diverted to recovering their own businesses,” Mr Ratcliffe said.
He added that annual membership fees have been increased from 2,000 baht to 3,000 baht per family.
“We have enough money for the lease and [initially for] salaries for staff to maintain the clubhouse and the grounds, but if we have trouble paying future ongoing fees, we have a company [willing] to underwrite the costs,” Mr Ratcliffe said.
