RYA move

Plans for our national body to move to UK sailing's 'centre of the universe'

The Royal Yachting Association is making arrangements to move from its current headquarters to a new building, yet to be built, near the UK sailing mecca of Hamble.

Planning permission is currently being sought for a new purpose-built office and warehouse facility called 'Compass Point'. This is to be constructed on a piece of land by the main road on the outskirts of Hamble. The RYA plan to sell their existing Victorian residence in Eastleigh and if all goes according to plan, they will move into the new building by Spring 2003.

The new office will be able house the RYA's 90 employees, but importantly will have a storage facility for their publishing wing. The RYA publishes all manner of training manuals and guides and particularly in the autumn, prior to the night school courses starting, there is a huge demand on their books.

Commenting on their prospective move RYA Chief Executive Rod Carr said, "we need to move forward as an organisation. This new facility will provide an excellent, modern and efficient working environment for the RYA team.

"There is an increasing expectation on the RYA to provide world class sports administration to the boating public at large as well as a range of modern, efficient, services to over 2500 clubs, classes and teaching establishments, in addition to 93,000 personal members. This new facility will allow us to meet their expectations now and in the future.

"Staff retention is an important consideration in our decision to stay within Eastleigh borough. We have also decided to develop and purchase our own building as opposed to renting existing premises as this option offered best value to the Association in the long term"