proceed with the purchase of the Phillip Street propeny . A good deal of Committee time was devoted to this project but across i1cameano1hersugges1ion . On 26August 1926 there was an opportunity fortheclub to acquire a water frontage of about 170 fl in Careening Cove at a very cheap rate of £ 15 per foot and on tenns most advantageous to the club . 11 was pointed out that values in the vicinity were increasing and that it would be a wonbwhile proposition if slips and a boatshed were erected . The members were experiencing great difficulty in finding suitable places 10 work on their boats . There were many other proposals being brought forward at that time .
In view of the above , a Special Committee Meeting resolved on 21 July 1927 that the club did not proceed with the Phillip Street deal . On 27 April 1928 it was finally decided not to acquire the Phillip S1ree1 site and to renew the lease on the present club premises .
At this time there was . of course . Green Point . but it was still remote and did nothing to provide a city hcadquaners .
By February 1936 members were still dissatisfied with 5 I Castlereagh Street and a new premises subcommitlcc was appointed . By July several premises had been submined but they were considered unsuitable . Amongst these was the Blanski Building in Hunter Sl ! eet which had a good area of 6200 sq ft at a rental of 4s9dpersq ft . The Flag Officers inspected thi • building but were not impressed . Challi > House was another that was considered bul . in addition to the Flag Officers , the members were no1 happy with any of the suggestions .
By 3 December 1936 it was decided to continue with the lease of 5 I Castlereagh Street but to ask the lessors , J . C . Williamson , whether they would help with the restoration of the buildlng . By 3 June 1937 all mailers had been senled and £ 200 had been allGcated lO refurnish 51 Castlereagh Street .
World War U came and went and after the war it was clear that the club was growing out of the Castlereagh Street premises . In 195 I a Premises Requisition Reserve Fund was established with the objecti ve of purchasing a propeny 10 be used for clubrooms . An amountof £ 17665 12s3d was placed therein .
By 1954 the Committee was concentrating on securing suitable premises for club purposes with or without vacant poosession . A number of buildings were inspected and offers considered . Amongst these were Selboume Chambers . Phillip Street , 155 Macquarie Street , Berger House . 251 / 253 Elizabeth Street , 225n . 27 Macquarie S1reet . 229n . 31 Macquarie Street and 31 / 47 Rowe S1reet . Boomerang I louse al Elizabeth Bay , and a si1e near the present CYC clubhouse were also considered . After much negotiation the club ' s offer for the Rowe Street property was accepted . The lease of 5 I Castlereagh Sl ! eet was reduced to a tenn expiring 30 October 1959 .
To complete the furnishing and fitting ou1 of the RoweS1ree1clubroomsacallof £ 20wasagreedtoby the members . This is the only call that has ever been applied 10 members .
On 29 August 1957 the Honorary Commodore , His Excellency the Governor of New South Wales , Lieutenant-General Sir Eric Woodward . KCMG , CB . CBE . DSO . accompanied by Lady Woodward , officially opened the new clubrooms . The official opening was followed by a cocklail pany-a most successful function .
Jn 1958 it was decided to etch the letters RP A YC on marble plaques on each sideoftheclub ' sentrance in RoweSl ! eet and to allach these to either side of the main doorway . These are the two marble plaques 1hat now adorn the main entrance pillars at Green Point .
Over the next l S years the Rowe Street clubhouse was thoroughly enjoyed by the members . It was profitable . as in addition to normal house revenue , it collected rentals from the various retail businesses which formed pan of the building . The main Comminee meetings were held in these clubrooms . The club headquarters were finnly established at 39 Rowe Street and such events as the cen1enary celebrations of the club 10 be held at Green Point were organised from Rowe StreeL
By 1970 , however . the future of the Rowe Street premises was under consideration . It was inevitable that the headquaners and control of the club would eveu1ually ., a » tu On : cn Point ; but at the same lime
members needed a city clubhouse .
In the same year rumours were filtering in tha1 a major city development could mean the end of the Rowe Street clubhouse . It was also appreciated that if a building development did take place 1he premises could become quite valuable . Late in 1970 a letter was received from Lend Lease Developmcnl Ltd confirming the rumour . But by January 197 l the Committee were still unsure of the exact position and were struggling against losses being experienced by the Green Point operation . The Commiuce , and in panicular the Honorary Treasurer . R . P . Truman , were doing a mighty job and were putting a tremendous amounl of time and effort into the problem .
By Febmnry 1971 . however , discussions had taken place with Lend Lease and things were looking a little better . Agreement had been reached on a purchase price for 39 Rowe Street at $ 1.75 million . No finn agreement had been signed at that time as one big problem faced the Comminco-the provision of alternative city premises for the use of city based members . At that lime a broad base of the club ' s membership lived close to the Rowe Street property and they were very much agains1 any suggestion of closing down the city clubrooms and moving 10 Green Point
The Comminee final ly decided to hold an Extraord . inary Meeting of Members on 29 March 1971 to suggest the sale of Rowe Street and discuss alternative city premises .
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