Banner summer at TYC despite challenges

To the editor:

The summer has come and gone and so has Irene; good riddance to her. I think readers would be interested to know what a great summer we’ve had at Tiverton Yacht Club, the most successful in many years. At our meeting, the reports of all the committees were upbeat.

The treasurer reported that revenues exceeded budget and, except for legal expenses, expenditures were below budget. Due to our Supreme Court trial and expenses with our seemingly never-ending battles with our abutters, legal expenses continue to divert money that could be better used for sail and swim instruction. The bottom line, however, is that our financial position is sound and can permit us to commence re-building.

Our sail training program had 53 youngsters from beginners to club racers. We were blessed with excellent instructors who made the kids enthusiastic and eager to return. They participated in three regattas at other clubs. Our fleet of sailboats and runabouts has been refurbished and is in top notch condition.

Our swim training was equally well attended and thanks to our re-zoning we were able to accept non-member children as well. The pool has been a great place for adult relaxing, and this year a new feature was added, adult water aerobics on Tuesday night.

Wednesday night cruising class races, held jointly with the Spar Island Racing Association, was also highly successful. A new high of seven Class A yachts raced; Dave Saurette showed them all how it was done.

Another innovation was sailing introduction for adults. As many as 16 participated in a program organized by Eduardo Rodrigues mostly on Peter Corr’s Shannon 37 and Tim Flanigan’s Little Harbor 38.

Our marina was fully operational, and with all slips filled, a financial gain helped support the other club programs. One dock was built to replace one that failed during the winter. This coming winter, chairman Jim Hilton plans work parties to build several new dock sections that will meet new CRMC requirements

Weekly Thursday night social/potluck dinners have been extremely well attended by families. Each had a theme: Pizza, Challenge, Caribbean Night, Italian Night, Chili Cook off etc. Games were provided for youngsters by Jim and Dee Rogers and older kids sailed our 420s. At one events the RI Blood Van visited and 21 volunteers offered blood. The club continues to have a positive impact on the community.

In-mid August the club hosted a party for college-bound kids to wish them well. The turnout was excellent as we have quite a number going to colleges all over the country. Our Labor Day party at the club organized by Jim and Dee Rogers was a huge success with over 100 participating in games and pot luck dinner.

As a long-time member, (first joined in 1965) I am extremely pleased at the level of activity in the club in spite of eight years without a clubhouse. Just this year our membership chairperson, Amy Cooper added 14 new family memberships (we are still below our cap).

But when are we going to re-build? The permits we had in place in 2007 have been updated. The re-zoning that we were granted last fall was appealed to Superior Court by our abutters and was first heard on Sept. 21 and has been continued to October. Our clubhouse design has been revised so it meets even the requirements of our prior zoning. We are hopeful that we can proceed regardless of zoning, but realistically we’ve been there before.

John F. Brady

Portsmouth