In recent months Sandringham Yacht Club proudly unveiled The Foredeck, the latest addition to the clubhouse as part of their ongoing improvements. This stunning new space, located on the northern podium and connected to the expanded Members’ Bar & Bistro, marks the completion of a two-phase renovation project that began on July 31, 2023 and spanned 15 months.

The Foredeck offers SYC members a host of new amenities and enhancements, including:

• A modern member area that fosters a sense of pride among the SYC community.
• Panoramic views of the SYC marina, Sandringham Harbour, and the race start line, all visible from one vantage point.
• A family-friendly area on the lower podium featuring a boat, synthetic grass, and picnic tables—perfect for children to play under the watchful eyes of their parents.
• An elevated race awards area for seamless presentations during regattas and busy club events.
• An enhanced space for post-race celebrations and regattas, catering to both members and guests.
• An upgraded audio-visual system for announcements and live broadcasts of sporting events, displayed on larger televisions.
• A more efficient bar layout, with increased surface area and better all-weather seating capacity.
• New, comfortable furniture, including refurbished leather seating in the Lounge.
• The introduction of a pod and paved flooring system, ideal for accommodating wet sailors.
• Back-of-house improvements in the kitchen that enhance safety, capacity, and menu options.
• Upgraded bag racks and the addition of 40 bike racks in the undercroft.

These enhancements have been designed to provide a more modern and efficient hospitality experience. With improved food service, a better bar layout, additional bar surface area, and a more than 35% increase in all-weather seating capacity, members can now enjoy a refreshed, inviting atmosphere. The upgraded furniture, plumbed water stations and a new QR code ordering system complement the traditional service model, making the overall experience more convenient and enjoyable.

The SYC team extends its gratitude to Amity Building Group, Watson Young Architects, and project manager Gallagher Jeffs, as well as partners like CUB (beer system), Schweppes (soft drink system), and Procaffe Coffee for their incredible support throughout the project. To showcase the new facilities, SYC is offering a Club PASS to members of the public. This introductory offer allows individuals to experience the clubhouse facilities up to three times, similar to the successful SAIL Pass, which has attracted 40-50% of new members over the past 20 years.

SYC invites visiting ICOYC reciprocal members to visit SYC if and when in Melbourne, Australia. We also look forward to welcoming everyone at the ICOYC Forum in 2027.

For more information visit SYC.

Richard Hewett
CEO
Sandringham Yacht Club