THE saga of the old Cairns Yacht Club took a sad twist yesterday, when the building collapsed in on itself.

Since its controversial relocation from Trinity Inlet waterfront to James Cook University last year, many have fretted it had been left to decay.

Their fears were confirmed when a section of the building collapsed about lunchtime yesterday.

A spokesman for Vis Constructions, which had been repairing the building, declined to comment until the collapsed had been investigated.

JCU deputy vice-chancellor Scott Bowman said there would be an investigation as to what caused the roof trusses to collapse.

"There will be an investigation to look at how much damage there has been, but it's fair to say there is some substantial damage to the trusses," Prof Bowman said.

"I am really disappointed because we were really making a lot of progress."

No one was hurt in the incident.

The yacht club was expected to be part of a $3.5 million university expansion, including a bar, amphitheatre and shops.

Prof Bowman denied yesterday's incident ended that dream.

"We are still fairly confident it will be a temporary setback and that it is not beyond repair," he said.

Cr Di Forsyth, who staged a public protest on top of the clubhouse last year, said she was dismayed.

"I was looking forward to having parts of the clubhouse and this is another setback. It is really sad," she said.

"It is an awful way to see the yacht club building going."

Yorkeys Knob resident Melissa Robertson, who drives past the university each day, also was upset.

"It just looks like a pile of papier-mache," she said.

"I am very cross that JCU would agree to take responsibility for a community asset when there are other people who would have taken it.

"I think the university has done itself a disservice."

The original decision to move the clubhouse from Trinity Inlet generated heated debate, with several public protest actions.

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