The Imperial Gozo Yacht Club (IGYC) has renovated a small part of the old Mgarr pumping station, which will be officially opened as the club's new premises this evening.

Only recently did the one-year-old club acquire part of the old building in Manoel de Vilhena Street in the heart of the Gozo harbour. The premises will serve as IGYC's administration office and a base for expansion of its educational, social and boating activities.

IGYC was formed in August last year as a sailing and power boating organisation in Gozo. The club has grown rapidly and now has more than 85 affiliated members, most of whom own vessels moored at Mgarr Harbour.

Capping off an active year, IGYC is scheduled to officially open the new premises this evening at 6.30pm. Activities include a presentation of prizes for two racing events held earlier this year, as well as dinner for club members and guests.

IGYC's main sailing event was the G2-Sagra Famiglia regatta, which was held last month. The event was sponsored and organised by Angelo Bajada, in memory of his father Vitor Bajada, co-owner of a dghajsa tal-latini (a traditional Gozo cargo boat with lateen sails) bearing the name Sacra Famiglia and originally registered as G2.

The Sacra Famiglia was built by the Caruana brothers in 1933 and is one of the last few remaining such boats. After several changes in ownership and many years of neglect, the Sacra Famiglia was entrusted to Wirt Ghawdex, Gozo's heritage society, and is currently being restored by one of the sons of the original builders.

The dghajsa tal-latini is the symbol of Gozo's maritime heritage and is depicted at the centre of IGYC's burgee and logo.

Further information on IGYC can be obtained from www.igyc.info.