In the summer
of 1963 a small group of boaters from Sailor's Boat Basing got together
and talked about fixing up some idle space at the Boat Basin for a
clubroom where they could have parties, play cards or watch a ball game
on television. With a handful of people doing the work and the landlord
providing the materials, we soon had our clubroom. The story doesn't
end here. Once they saw what a fine clubroom they had, the idea of
organizing a Yacht Club began to take shape. On December 13, 1962, a
planning meeting was held in Findlay, Ohio. It was decided to invite
the entire population of Sailor's Boat Basin to attend a meeting if
they were interested in such a project. On February 15, 1964, fifteen
people gathered at Lehmann's Lodge in Fostoria, Ohio to organize and
lay the groundwork for a yacht club. The club name was selected,
officers elected and an outline for a Constitution and By-Laws
approved. In April 1964 we were incorporated as a nonprofit
organization. We had six members that year!
By the end of 1964, the club had 44 members, a club
burgee, a monthly newsletter, printed Constitution and By-Laws, money
in the treasury, the clubroom had new furniture and a bar was in
operation for use by members. In addition, we had made formal
application for affiliation with the Inter Lake Yachting Association.
Sailor's West Harbor Yachting Association. Sailor's West Harbor
Yacht Club was really on the move. On February 12, 1966 we had our
first Annual Meeting and Dinner at Lehmann's Lodge in Fostoria, Ohio.
During the summer of 1966, we acquired 41 new
members and plans for expansion of the club's facilities were approved.
We added to the furnishings and participated in three cruises to other
yacht clubs. In 1967 and 1968, a new addition to the clubhouse was
completed. Activities and membership increased. In 1969, we became
recognized as an active member of the ILYA.
In 1972, due to the loss of our lease at Sailor's
Boat Basin, the membership decided to move the club to Gem Beach where
quarters were rented in two units of a Motel. The proved to be a wise
move both for the club and the Gem Beach organization.
At the annual meeting in 1973, the members voted
unanimously to change the name of the club Catawba West Harbor Yacht
Club.
By 1974, with a new name and burgee and new
facilities, the 10th anniversary was celebrated with a feeling of
accomplishment and an eye toward the future. The club needed more
space. After exploring many possibilities, the entire building was
purchased on a 15 year land contract in 1975. The gift shop on the
south end would become the bar room and we continued to lease the three
north units to the canvas shop. During 1976 and 1977 the members
continued to work on the interior of the club adding a ladies rest
room, and remodeling the kitchen, adding a grill and fryer.
At the end of 1978 the entire building was
available for our use and the work and planning began in earnest.
During the next three years over 1,000 man hours (by the club members)
were invested to completely remodel the entire building. We
accomplished a project estimated to cost between $20.000-25000 for
$9,000-10,000! The showers and rest rooms were installed, the new
kitchen and dining area completed and the clubroom carpeted and
decorated. In 1982, and addition to the bar and glass doors in the bar
entrance were installed. This expansion put us at the limit of usable
ground level space for this property.
In addition to our continued membership in the ILYA,
we also became members of the Associated Yacht Clubs (AYC) in 1984.
1984-86 were again remodeling and renovating years. The concrete walls
in the clubroom were paneled and a new ceiling installed. The louvered
windows were removed and replaced with large one way glass windows and
the current entrance doors were installed. Some furniture was
recovered and other pieces were replaced.
In 1987 and 1988, the louvered windows in the
dining room were replaced and several unused outside doors were
covered. New showers and central air conditioning were installed.
In 1989 we were 25 years young, had 150 members and
were proud of it! We celebrated with a big party following a decorated
boat parade. The highlight of the Commodore's Ball in 1991 was the
burning of the mortgage. The building was ours.
The CATAWBA West Harbor Yacht Club Chapter of the
International Order of the Blue Gavel was formed in 1993. Our
Past Commodores and their Ladies remain active within Districts 7 &
9 of the IOBG.
In 1994 extensive interior renovations were
undertaken again. The clubroom was moved to the south end of the
building, and the bar was relocated to the center. This allows us to
expand into the dining room for large functions and some large storage
areas were created. New carpeting and bar furniture was also installed.
The same year a deck was added to the south end of the building with a
new flagpole as the focal point. The roof and soffits of the building
were replaced in 1997 and the trustees began a program to update all
the electrical wiring in the building.
In the last few years we have increased our
activity and visibility with the AYC. This includes hosting and
attending various Regattas and Poker Runs. These cruises in addition to
our own Club Cruises have generated new and memorable experience for
many of us.
Well, we are past the millennium and we have
survived. This year brought a lot of changes. What has been
accomplished (sometimes by just a few) has resulted in an organization
and facility of which we should all be proud.
Throughout our rich history, along with great ideas
and hard work, our Club has grown and prospered because of the good
times and fellowship within the walls, on the docks, and on the lake.
There have been corn roasts, Luau's, annual meetings
(now Commodore's Balls), chicken barbecues, Halloween parties, steak
roasts, breakfasts, fish fry's, Christmas Parties, Derby Days,
regattas, cruises, meetings, potlucks and many a great night at the
bar. OUr membership continued to rise steadily (some are second
generation members).
On the morning of June 14 the, 2003 the membership
of Catawba West Harbor Yacht Club lost their clubhouse to fire.. Many
of the members watched on that early Saturday morning in disbelief as
firefighters from the surrounding communities battled the blaze. The
west end of the building containing the kitchen and the new shower area
were saved though both were fire and smoke damaged. The rest of the
clubhouse was totally destroyed. Emotions were evident as members found
it difficult to leave the site. Historical documents, financial
statements, photo albums, clothing, burgees, pictures of our past
commodore's...all were lost in the fire.
Despite our loss the members knew "it was only a
building..the people make up the real heart of CWHYC".
There was never a doubt that the club would be
rebuilt. So began a long summer, fall and winter of planning by the
Board of Directors and by the Building Committees. Zoning, meetings
were attended, alternate sites were looked at and discussed, floor
plans and designs were studied. The decision was made early in 2004 to
rebuild on the current blueprint. A contract was signed with
Golden Giant to erect a two story steel building. During the month of
May 2004 construction began on the new clubhouse.
C.W.H.Y.C (History
of Catawba West Harbor Yacht Club continued)
There was never a doubt that the club would be rebuilt. So began a long
summer, fall and winter of planning by the Board of Directors and by
the Building Committees. Zoning meetings were attended, alternate sites
were looked at and discussed, floor plans and designs were studied. The
decision was made early in 2004 to rebuild on the current
footprint. A contract was signed with Golden Giant to erect a two
story steel building. During the month of May 2004 construction began
on the new clubhouse.
Construction was slowed and target dates delayed by permit problems and
zoning restrictions. A year of construction turned into two years
of frustration and discouragement. Hoping to plan a grand opening
ceremony during the 2005 season, the club instead hosted limited , but
well attended functions. For the first time in CWHYC history
membership numbers dropped considerably. The club had 142 memberships
before the fire. We started the 2005 season with 70.
Finally, on November 14th, 2005, an occupancy permit was issued to
Catawba West Harbor Yacht Club. Exactly 2 1/2 years to the day from the
date of the fire. Immediately, parties and events were
planned. Christmas 2005, New Years 2006. A ribbon cutting
ceremony, complete with the Mayor of Port Clinton presenting us with a
“Key to the City” was held on Saturday, December 3rd. The CWHYC
clubhouse was back in business!
It had been a long two and a half years. The clubhouse had
doubled in size, growing from 3,000 to 6,000 square feet. We now
have a two-story building with a second floor balcony providing an
amazing view of West Harbor. The lounge covers nearly the
entire second story of the clubhouse with a custom built oak bar.
The first floor contains a TV / family room, dining area and full
service kitchen. There are 2 restrooms up and 2 restrooms down. The
previously renovated shower room was maintained and is attached to the
kitchen end of the building.
We’ve come a long way and look forward to the future!
Researched and written by Sue Pelton, 2001
Updated by Shari Brello 2004 - 2006
Updated by Tim Atves
2005, OUR 41th YEAR
THE YEAR OF THE NEW CATAWBA
WEST HARBOR YACHT CLUB!
We've come a long way and look forward to the future!
2006
Least we forget the work and companionship of the old club.