Club commodore Barry Whipp said the first pile for the $26,000 wharf was driven in by Port Otago on July 1. The community helped finance the project by buying wooden planks for $20 each.
Yachting New Zealand Otago-Southland regional support officer Graeme Wall said at the opening it was hugely important clubs maintained wharves.
''It is a huge obligation for a small club like this, but the community got right behind it.
''It's incredibly important because if you lose it, you won't get it back and without the wharves and facilities we are not leaving much for the next generation.''
The club's oldest member, Ruby Marr (93), cut the ribbon to officially open the wharf in front of about 50 people before five St Leonards children jumped from the wharf into the harbour.
