Squamish Yacht Club members play hard at sea but last weekend they worked even harder to provide more space for boats to set sail from the harbour in its largest ever build-out project.
About 80 members took part in a massive spring cleanup and renovation on Saturday and Sunday (April 25 and 26), which included building more than 300 ft. of new dock. The Squamish Yacht Club has nine new fingers and an additional 22 slips, pushing the total number of slips past the 100 mark.
And there is still room in the club's water lot lease for future projects.
Vice commodore Dave Beech had yet to calculate the total cost of the project but said the volunteer labour dramatically cut expenses, which would normally hover around $300,000. Since members supplied the muscle over the two days the club only had to deal with the cost of materials, which were all purchased locally, said Beech.
"That's what maintains this club because we're a volunteer club, we call ourselves a blue collar club," he said. "It's a social event, boaters getting together, and it's also to provide affordable moorage in Squamish."
Standard monthly moorage costs are about $8 per ft. but Squamish Yacht Club members pay $2 per ft., said Beech.
The workers built six 50-ft. sections of dock and then built nine fingers and installed them using a crane. The next step is installing special ACZA pilings opposed to creosote pilings, which are thought to harm herring eggs.
The club followed advice from Squamish Streamkeepers even though the ACZA pilings are double the cost. The 15 pilings needed cost about $30,000 but the creosote pilings would have cost $12,000, said Beech.
While those who are handy with hammers worked on the docks, other spruced up the gardens and hauled lumber, including 16 Squamish Sea Scouts. The kids ages nine to 13 carried materials and made runs to the dump.
The scouts try to show their appreciation for receiving free moorage for their 20-ft. Scimitar whenever they can, said skipper James Retty.
"They love coming out and doing this stuff. For them, they get to contribute and be a part of it, which is really important," he said.
"One of the things with scouts you want to teach them is that there's a sense of responsibility with everything. And with responsibility is freedom."
The Squamish Yacht Club has about 140 members. New members are always welcome.
