Members of Southwestern Yacht Club (SWYC) have a new place to call home. The local club unveiled a new 60,000-square-foot clubhouse in a ceremony April 24. “When I first walked into the building, I was just awestruck by the warmth of the casework and the hardwoods and the nautical feel with all of the wood tones,” said SWYC Commodore David Verdugo, Among those in attendance at the ribbon-cutting ceremony were club members and District 2 City Councilman Kevin Faulconer. SWYC began construction on the facility in March 2009 and demolished their old clubhouse this February. “It’s still a work in progress. The new furniture isn’t in yet,” Verdugo said. SWYC upgraded its digs to meet requirements for lease renewal with the Port of San Diego. The new facility allowed the club to renew with the port through 2050. “We had to make a certain dollar amount of capital improvements. The more capital improvements we made, the longer the lease was extended,” Verdugo said. “This club will serve the needs of the members well for the next 40 years.” The $8 million clubhouse features expanded trophy cases, a new area for awards and two new rooms: a retail “boatique” and a member’s lounge with a library and fireplace. According to Verdugo, the new building also capitalizes on its surroundings, thanks to architect Dale Combs. “Instead of having just one view out to the Shelter Island yacht basin area, we have views that run all the way from the La Playa area, sweeping around the panorama to Point Loma,” Verdugo said. “The decks and windows are so much bigger.” SWYC will hold a grand opening and dedication for the clubhouse on May 22. The public is invited to check out the new building and adjacent public art project, “The Sea,” during the club’s community open house on Tuesday, June 22. “The residents of the Point Loma area are more than welcome to come down and visit the new facility,” Verdugo said. Southwestern Yacht Club is located at 2702 Qualtrough St. For more information, call (619) 222-0438, or visit www.southwesternyc.org.