THE longstanding dispute between the Durban watersports clubs was settled on Thursday, 26 October, when all parties agreed to withdraw from all current litigation.
Commodore of Point Yacht Club (PYC), Greg de Beyer, said he was happy with the settlement between Point Watersports Club (PWC), the Durban Undersea Club (DUC), the Durban Ski Boat Club (DSBC) and the Durban Point Development Company (DPDC), on terms the PYC found extremely favourable.
“The settlement will allow the PYC to continue conducting sailing regattas and activities from its own club at the Vetch’s Precinct, without reference to other parties and on terms which it finds extremely acceptable. The Paddle Ski Club (PSC) will also be joining the PYC in the new clubhouse on the beach at Vetch’s and we looks forward to a long and happy relationship with the PSC into the future,” he said.
De Beyer said the PYC thanked the developer DPDC and the clubs for working with them in achieving this settlement.
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Craig Millar, past commodore of PYC who has been involved in the ongoing battle, said: “Much has already been written on the settlement so far, yet unfortunately including several inaccuracies and scarce conciliation. It is important to consider the circumstances that forced the PYC and PSC to defend their rights in court and thereby judge the effectiveness of the action taken.”
Millar said several months ago, the PYC and PSC suggested to the developers that they be given a separate lease, and the response in fact came via the PWC who suggested becoming the landlords under a sublease, which was clearly not an option. “Two days before the court date, we received notice that the DPDC agreed to giving us a separate lease. This was the decision that unlocked the opportunity to achieve an amicable settlement, that would satisfy all parties and include all of the PYC’s objectives,” he said.
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Following the successful negotiation, which satisfies the relatively simple needs of both PYC and PSC, Millar said it would have been obstructive for the PYC and PSC to continue with the litigation.
“PYC members can be extremely pleased that we have achieved a future of self-determination in a financially sustainable model, without interference or domination by other clubs. We are further delighted that the important development for Durban can now proceed. Having finally been permitted to meet with the developers we are confident of a positive ongoing relationship with the DPDC. We trust that all of the parties will act with goodwill and maturity during the period in the temporary facility, making this difficult period for all as harmonious as possible,” he said.
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