Matthew Williams Director, MWA 19 Dumbarton Street McMahons Point, NSW 2060 M 0410232939 E info@mw-arch.com.au W www.mw-arch.com.au The Commodore Middle Harbour Yacht Club 75 Parriwi Road Mosman, NSW 2088 Tuesday, 20th October, 2020 Dear Middle Harbour Yacht Club, I am something of a novice sailor, but have very much been enjoying the opportunity to sail aboard Samarkand with Walter Carpenter, for both inshore and off shore races. Perhaps the key part of that experience for me, is to find such a wonderful, supportive and humorous community of Sailors at MHYC. During these difficult times of COVID-19, this community has demonstrated wonderful resilience and the Saturday SOPS race is something I look forward to every week, both for the adrenalin and comraderies of the crew and members of the club. Recently I have been assisting Sydney Heritage Fleet to consider its current location, and as such as an architect and urban planner, I do find myself considering retail opportunities and improved functionality at the MHYC Clubhouse. I have been a loyal shopper at Helly Hansen when it was located at the clubhouse, and very much appreciated the asy convenience of having the shop at the club, in terms of getting gear when it is required. This convenience seems a powerful factor for club members. I have also been contemplating revenue opportunities at the club, particularly regarding the sailor experience and utility, and the way in which the club can involve the community in terms of use of the facility and events. I do think with a few key strategic shifts at the clubhouse, the following design targets could be met: – – – – – – – – –
Improved presence to Street and improved site access Expansion and staging of facility Inclusion of additional land area and facility to MHYC Facility as may be realised from decommissioning of the Sewerage Treatment Plant to South Focussing building functionality on the three main user groups; F&B / Retail, Sailors, Members Introduction of a number of new, high yielding retail facilities; Capacity to cater to large groups and events Improved functionality of hardstand areas; Improved utility of ‘beach’ zone as part of clubhouse functionality; and Improved sense of address for the Clubhouse, both when arriving from Spit Road in a vehicle or on foot, and also from within the Clubhouse Car Park to the Clubhouse.