Unlike most yacht clubs, GYC started out well equipped with a building (donated to the Pan Am Games by Camp Shilo), land (leased from the Town) and a wharf and finger docks (build by the Pan Am Games Society), but only a handful of members. Until the airforce base at the airport closed in 1971, the CFB Sailing Club was an important member of this group in its first few years, providing some of the basic necessities, such as furniture, boats and rescue craft.
From the handful of original members, GYC has mushroomed in the decades since the inaugural meeting to a membership now in the hundreds. The Pan Am Games proved the suitability of Gimli and Lake Winnipeg for sailing. Located only 60 miles from Winnipeg and having a well-developed harbour and other facilities, such as the Recreation Center , a trailer park and camp ground, several hotels and motels, and many retail outlets, Gimli provides many advantages for competitive and casual sailors.
Since the 1967 Pan Am Games, GYC has been the site of many regattas at the Club, provincial, national and international levels. National regattas have included the Fireball Nationals twice, the Laser Nationals once, the Western Canada Games, the Women's Nationals and YOTS. In 1993 GYC hosted the North American Laser Championship and in 1994, we hosted the World Board Sailing Championships. Bringing the story full circle the Club hosted the Sailing Competition of the Pan American Games for a second time in 1999. The Manitoba Centennial Trophy was presented to the Club by the MSA in 170 for an open regatta to celebrate the 100 th birthday of the Province of Manitoba and the Centennial Regatta has been held at GYC usually in mid-July, although more recently in late June, every year since then. The Commodore's Cup was donated by Dan Snidal in 1970 for Club competition usually on the September long weekend. Many sailors, young and “mature”, learned their skills through the Manitoba Sailing Center , located at Gimli from 1974 to 1977, as well as the many sailing schools sponsored by the MSA and GYC.
