The commodore of a historic yacht club says the organisation wants to be a "hub" for the community to secure their future.

Jim Rogers says the Royal Northern and Clyde Yacht Club (RNCYC) is not sustainable in its current building - which dates from the 19th century and is not actually located at the water's edge.

They are instead pitching a new clubhouse as part of a masterplan for the nearby Rhu Marina - which would give the club a home by the water and would enable them to expand what they can provide, both to club members and to the wider community.

Speaking ahead of an event at the club's current home this week, which will see the club's marina masterplan go on public display for the first time, Mr Rogers said the energy bills for the 10-12 rooms at the club's current Victorian-era home are "enormous".

He told the Advertiser: "We need to be a hub and be by the water.

"This is an important move for us. The club is not going to close; it's the building that's the problem."

Helensburgh Advertiser: The RNCYC's Rhu Marina site plans

The masterplan goes on show at the exhisting RNCYC premises on June 1, with Rhu and Shandon Community Council members on hand to consider the plans with residents.

The club wants to move to a new base on land it owns at Rhu Marina and said they have been keeping the community council informed throughout the process.

Mr Rogers said: "We are in an 1857 building, which is gobbling up our resources.

"We want to be down at the marina with a purpose-build building for our needs.

"We have a growing coastal rowing section and we plan to build a new slipway that's double width and useable at all tides.

"Where we are is a lovely old building, but it is away from the water.

"We need to move to keep ourselves going beyond 200 years, which we mark next year."

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The community council said last week: "Rhu and Shandon Community Council appreciates the RNCYC hosting this event and we hope for a good turnout of residents from a the surrounding area.”

The public event this Thursday at the RNCYC clubhouse runs from 6pm until 9pm.