Sailing support plea is deferred

Sailing support plea is deferred

30 October 2013

A DOWN Council committee has deferred making a decision on providing financial support for a world championship sailing event on Strangford Lough next summer.

East Down Yacht Club, which is based outside Killyleagh, is hosting the biannual GP 14 championships next August and hoped to secure £15,000 from Down Council to meet the running costs of the six-day event.

Club members made a presentation at last week’s meeting of the local authority’s Cultural and Economic Development Committee when it emerged that the Tourist Board has refused to provide financial support for the dingy world championships as the event does not meet its funding criteria.

Councillors agreed they want to get more information about the event before deciding if they are prepared to support the event which has yet to secure a major sponsor.

Past club commodore, Mr. James Curran, told councillors it was a “major honour” for East Down Yacht Club to secure the prestigious event for Strangford Lough, explaining competitors from across the globe will be making their way to compete in the event.

He said the non-profit making event is expected to generate £234,000 for the local economy, suggesting the figure represents a good return on the amount of financial support the club is seeking from the local authority.

Councillors were told the desired legacy of the world championship event is to create and showcase Strangford Lough as a world class sailing location and renowned as a prestige venue for future sailing events.

Several councillors expressed concern at the Tourist Board’s refusal to support the dinghy world championship event and several said the decision was “incredible.”

Councillor Éamonn Mac Con Midhe said while next year’s event may be regarded by the Tourist Board as “minor,” its decision not to provide funding is “ridiculous.” Councillor Anne McAleenan described the Tourist Board refusal as “disgraceful.”

She added: “This event will bring international visitors to the area and it should be supported by the Tourist Board in my opinion. Down Council is being asked to provide £15,000 which is a lot of money. We need to see how we could provide what we are being asked for.”

Councillor Maria McCarthy said funding for the Strangford Lough event could perhaps be identified in the local authority’s recreation and tourism department budgets, while councillor Liam Johnston suggested Ards Council should be asked to help East Down Yacht Club meet the event’s financial shortfall.

Council Director, Mr. Michael Lipsett, secured councillors’ support to defer making any decision to hand over money to East Down Yacht Club at this stage to allow the club’s request to be further investigated.

He added: “I don’t know why the event has no major sponsor on board and what publicity it will generate. Maybe we could provide support in terms in helping market the championships. We also don’t know how many people taking part or watching the event will stay in our district. These are issues we need to consider before making a decision at our next meeting in December.”