Sports Club yesterday when club members bought the North Shore premises they have rented for more than 30 years.

It was a dream come true for Mr. MacNeil Simmons, whose late father Gerald helped found the club in the mid-1940s.

"I used to feel envious when I looked at boat clubs like the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club and the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dingy Club because they owned their buildings,'' Mr. Simmons said.

"I can remember going to meetings we held in the 1950s, they would always be at people's homes because that was before we moved into this building.'' The club bought the third of an acre property from Government for $180,000. It had previously invested heavily in the land.

Before construction of the main lounge started in 1975, the club had only two rooms. Members spent weekends and evenings building the new building which was completed in 1977.

Treasurer Mrs. Grace Woodley, a member since 1975, was overcome with emotion.

"We held dances and raised the money to start the construction, and people helped by donating windows, cement and money. This club means a lot to me, my heart and soul is in this place. I never thought I would see the day when we would buy it.'' But Mr. Edward "Gates'' Smith, who at 82 is the oldest sailing member of the traditionally black club, said if members had stuck together the club could have been purchased a long time ago.

"I've seen this building grow,'' he said. "I'd like to see the club get more sailors though.'' Increasing the membership is one of many projects Commodore Mr. Odwin Berkeley Jr. intends to pursue, though the plans were dealt a major blow when vice commodore Mr. Lawrence Hendrickson Jr. died last month.

"I'd like to see more youth,'' Mr. Berkeley said. "But you have to catch them before they turn 16 because after that they get caught up in bikes and they do not find sailing appealing.

"But one of the things we will be doing in the future, is to build a dock because it is very difficult and dangerous to launch boats if the wind is blowing from the north.'' However, his father, Mr. Odwin Berkeley Sr., who is an honourary member, pointed out that not only was it wonderful that the club had finally purchased the building but the timing was also important.

"Since this is Black History Month, it makes it all the more fitting that we have taken the club over.'' Mr. Gibbons said the sale was part of a rationalisation of Government property, which included disposal of land surplus to its requirements.

IT'S OURS -- Members of the Mid Atlantic Boat and Sports Club yesterday purchased their club building from Government for $180,000. Presenting the cheque to Works Minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons are club treasurer Mrs.

Grace Woodley and commodore Mr. Odwin Berkeley Jr.