The Vikings Sailing Club is to be evicted from its premises in Haywharf, Floriana, with no suitable alternative premises or compensation being offered so far.
The non-profit-making organisation, which has been operating since 1984, took over the current building 10 years ago through a unanimous parliamentary vote.
Although the lease still has six years to run, the club was served with an eviction notice to vacate the premises by October 25 due to plans to build a new marina at Sa Maison, Pietà.
Committee member Clive Chipperfield explained that the club’s premises will be occupied by the Armed Forces of Malta as the gate of the AFM base will be moved inwards to create an additional area available for the development of the marina.
Depriving children of sporting facilities is just wrong
“We’ve been in discussions since February, when we were informed that we had to vacate the premises,” Mr Chipperfield said.
“We’ve had several meetings with the Lands Department, correspondence with the Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and also a meeting with the Prime Minister’s Office [OPM] to try to find an adequate alternative. However, although witnessing a lot of goodwill, the only official document remains the eviction notice.”
The OPM verbally offered the club the use of old garage premises close to the current premises.
However, the Lands Department said the building was condemned and had to be torn down and rebuilt.
“It would cost us some €200,000 to construct an adequate clubhouse. We only have €20,000 in the bank – there’s no way a non-profit-making organisation like us could ever afford such an expense,” said Mr Chipperfield.
Additionally, the club would have to make use of the public slipway next to the Haywharf Restaurant, which is difficult to access.
The current premises houses 40 sailing boats and three rescue boats. An old school next to the public library in Floriana was being discussed for temporary storage.
“But so far we haven’t been given access – we have no official documentation.
“By next month we need to clear out the boats; and they have to go somewhere. The school is also nowhere near the water so it’s not practical for us,” said Mr Chipperfield.
“Throughout the years, the club has enriched the lives and skills of hundreds of children through the Malta Sport Council (KMS) sailing courses. We have done this by providing all necessary equipment at no cost and coaching them through the years to participate in national and international events.”
The club also organises dinghy sailing regattas at club and national level, courses for adults, yacht races and social events that also involve parents.
An annual 50-hour sailing marathon brings all members and KMS participants together to work as a team in aid of a charitable foundation.
During the past five years, Mr Chipperfield added, the club spent €30,000 refurbishing its premises.
“All this is now in danger of being lost. Depriving children of sporting facilities is just wrong.”