MAJOR improvements will be made to Clevedon Sailing Club’s facilities thanks to a �50,000 grant from an Olympic legacy fund.

The money, which has been awarded by Sport England, will be used to create more boat storage space at the club’s seafront base and to improve changing facilities for its members.

The �50,000 will make up two thirds of the amount needed for the scheme, the remainder of which will be covered by the club.

Executive committee and sailing committee member at Clevedon Sailing Club, Benedict Whybrow, said: “We desperately need to improve the changing facilities.

“The gents changing room is a permanent lake as it doesn’t drain properly.

“The ladies changing rooms have very primitive electric showers and desperately need a gas-fired boiler and general refurbishment.”

Benedict was one of a team of six who prepared the bid for the money, which will come from the Inspired Facilities fund, an Olympic legacy fund created by Sport England using lottery cash.

An extension to the club’s storage space will allow more boats to be kept on site and used for training adults and children, with the hope of attracting more members and instructors. It is also hoped more evening and weekend sailing courses could be put on as a result.

Work on the new facilities, which will also include a terrace above the extended storage area, is due to start in the autumn with a target to complete the project by Easter.

Clevedon Sailing Club currently has more than 120 members, with a strong cadets section made up of nine to 17-year-olds, an established Royal Yachting Association training programme and a core of accomplished sailors who regularly take part in races and events. For more details about its activities visit www.clevedon-sailing-club.co.uk