Newhaven and Seaford SC Clubhouse Rebuild

Aim: Our 1970s sailing clubhouse facilities need major structural & refurbishment work to reopen. Join our local community in making this happen.

About us:

• We are a family-friendly, community-based sailing club
• We are inclusive and have a broad and diverse membership
• We are run and led solely by volunteers

Why are we crowdfunding?

• The Seaford clubhouse is a valuable local community asset and sports facility
• The building needs major structural repairs to be able to reopen again
• We need your help to make this happen

Volunteer-led, not-for-profit

Founded in 1952, we are a family-friendly, Royal Yachting Association (RYA) affiliated water sports club and training centre, with more than 1,000 members of all ages and abilities.

• NSSC is a not-for-profit organisation, run and led solely by volunteers
• Our members are aged from 7 to late 70s
• We sail and race all year round, and hold regular social events
• Our Sailability group enables disabled people to get on the water
• We have a growing youth cohort of sailing cadets
• Our members also windsurf, kayak, kitesurf, wing foil, and paddleboard
• One of our former sailing cadets is now a key member of the Canada SailGP international racing team

History

In the early 1970s, NSSC raised funds to build a clubhouse on the seafront between Newhaven and Seaford. Built on a tight budget with members’ donations, the predicted lifespan was just 25 years. The simple yet strong design greatly exceeded these expectations, and lasted for 50 years! But with decades of exposure to the elements, the steel structure of the building ultimately corroded, and the building had to be closed in late 2023.

Our vision for the clubhouse

Our immediate key aims for the restoration of the Seaford clubhouse are as follows:

• Replace the steel supports and reinstate structural integrity
• Rebuild the brickwork surrounding the steelwork
• Replace or repair the external cladding
• Replace the fire alarm system
• Improve safeguarding by adding individual cubicle partitions to the changing room areas
• Replace the wooden decking, sliding doors and external shutters 
• Improve disabled access to the building from the upper level

The works are to be planned in three separate phases. The milestone dates may change depending on any complications identified during the building work, as well as on the availability of funds raised. If the funds are not available, then the final phase will be subject to delays and may not complete this year.

We have saved £185,000

Over many years, we have carefully saved away money in readiness for future anticipated building works. However, we do not yet have enough to complete the major project that now faces us. The cost-of-living crisis has made this an even more difficult task to achieve.

We need a further £20,000

To complete the major structural repairs and to be able to get the building functional again, we require a minimum of £205,000. This is based on multiple quotations for the various stages of building work required.

Anything we raise in addition to our target will help enable us to:

• Improve disabled access to the toilets/changing rooms on the ground floor, by installing a ramp and modifying the door frame/threshold (£6180.00 for a Swift platform and ramp system with handrails on both sides).
• DDA compliant disabled access door system, for disabled access at top of ramp (approx. £5000.00).
• Buy wider rubber mats, to allow our Sailability wheelchair users to travel up and down the shingle beach, as well as to make it easier to haul boat trolleys of different sizes (£5092.80).

Help us to support the next generation

We want the next generation of sailors and social members to enjoy the great facilities used by previous generations. We also want to enhance these facilities to improve inclusivity and safeguarding, and to once again be a community meeting place and hub on the seafront for the enjoyment of the many.

How you can help

• Donate via this crowdfunding page. We have a wide selection of donation rewards for you to choose from, or you can simply make a donation.  Any help will make a big difference, and would be greatly appreciated.
• Share our campaign with others to spread the word and help support us.
• Join us! Become and member and support your local club. Find out more at www.sailinginsussex.org

Thank you for your time and interest in our appeal.

Supporters of our appeal:

• Andrew Dandridge Fine Art

• Barracloughs the Opticians

• Brewers

• Brighton Watersports

• Catalyst IT Europe Limited

• East Sussex County Council (East Sussex Community Wellbeing Fund)

• Fly Sussex

• J. Kirby Electrical Limited

• Naomi Jenkin Art

• Peter Trevor Fine Jewellers

• Royal Yachting Association

• Rowland Gorringe Estate Agent

• Scantech Group

• SOUNDFeelings

• South East Mountain Biking

• Sport England: Active Together Fund

• The Foiling Collective

• Toga Creative arts hub

• A Wilkins Motor Engineers
• Ambers Florist, Seaford 
• Andy Anderson Locksmiths
• Be Creative 
• Brighton Zip
• Brooklyn Hyundai
• Casson Consulting
• COOK, Lewes
• Crepes de la Crème
• Cuckmere Cycle Company
• Diella's Restaurant, Seaford
• Elizabeth Dandridge (Flute, Piano and Music Theory teacher)
• Gino's Italian, Seaford
• Harvey & Son Lewes Ltd
• Intersport, Lewes
• Lara's Boutique 
• Maison Cinq Studio
• Mr Cycles, Seaford
• Newhaven Car Services Sussex Limited
• Paradise Park & Gardens
• Paul Campbell-James of Sail GP Team Canada
• Pro Shop at Seaford Golf Club
• Samantha Turner
• Sedici, Seaford
• Suzanne Mountain Ltd
• The Barber's Lodge
• The Party Emporium
• The Secret Wardrobe
• The View, Seaford