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Your sailing season pretty much starts and ends as you decide. The clubhouse facilities however are not expected to be fully operational until the end of the Spring Work Party. This event is usually held sometime around the long weekend in May. The end of the season, as far as the clubhouse is concerned, usually ends shortly after the Labour Day weekend. The clubhouse is still accessible as in early spring. The services degrade as the fall weather deteriorates.

During the active season, you are invited to participate in weekly club races either as skipper or crew. These races are held Wednesday evenings stating in June and ending in August.

Weekends see a fair number of races that lean more but not exclusively towards the family. Examples are the Viking Cup, Scallywag (sailed in pirate regalia) and the ‘Hec and Back’.

To use the club facilities on a regular basis one must be a dues paying member and follow the GYC Code of Conduct. Memberships vary depending on individual needs. Boat owners require a full membership. Others may sign up as an associate member for a reduced fee. For more detailed information you can find GYC Membership Guidelines as well as the Code of Conduct on the club web site.

Part of a members’ annual responsibilities include working at least 7.5 hours voluntarily at the club (15 hours total for couple and family memberships). This can be accomplished by conducting maintenance or participating at club planned activities as staff. You can choose your volunteer tasks for work parties on line at the club web site. Should this not be suitable you may choose to pay a predetermined fee with your annual dues the year following the current season.

Once you are a member you will find that many other clubs will extend reciprocal privileges should you be visiting in their area.
You are invited to bring guests to the club. We’re always happy to see new faces. However, visits are limited to three times per season for each visiting guest.

Dues must be paid by 1 May each year. Failure to comply will result in an additional late/initiation fee should you choose to renew at a later date.

Members vessels are required to be covered with at least third party liability insurance and be equipped in accordance with the Canada Shipping Act as amended.

When in port the vessel is expected to be secured with all halyards, messenger lines, etc. tied back to reduce noise. Other members may board a boat to tie back any line causing noise.

The skipper of any motorized vessel, when underway, must be in possession of and carry a valid Pleasure Craft Operators Card and picture ID.

Your Board from the Commodore on down are members just like you and pays the same membership dues. The positions are held by elected volunteers and are completely devoid of stipends, honorariums or the like. You are invited to offer your name as a board member or offer help as a committee member. There will be situations from time to time that you feel might be handled in a different manner. Your concerns will be heard. Please ensure you speak to the appropriate board member. Board members names and contact info can be found on the web site. If you choose to talk to the Commodore you will probably be referred to the appropriate board member. Unless you’ve been a commodore you have no idea how busy this person is. When voicing your concerns please have some sort of solution in mind and a willingness to help implement the changes. Please remember that each hour your board member works is an hour of unpaid overtime.

The entire facility is owned by the R.M. of Gimli. The Gimli Yacht Club leases the structure and is wholly responsible for all care and maintenance. All the furniture and the bulk of appliances you see inside the club have been donated by members. If you have anything that you feel might be useful and wish to donate have a chat with the board member who is in charge of House and Grounds.

Housekeeping is provided three times per week by cleaning staff. These duties entail washing and/or mopping the floors and tidying up the washrooms. Club custodians are also present. They tidy up first thing in the morning for a few hours. Individuals using the clubhouse are expected to tidy up after themselves. It is expected they mop up spills, do their own dishes and empty garbage cans.

Grass cutting is provided under contract. Shrub maintenance, flower bed care and weed trimming is completed by members on a volunteer basis. This is a great way to contribute your ten hours per year of volunteer labour should you miss the Spring Work Party. Hours worked can be logged on the club web site.

This is an area in the middle of the structure generally used as a room for conversation and relaxing much like the living room in your home.

The lounge is also the center of many social activities which, as a member, you have a standing invitation. Some of these events include the Spring Wine and Cheese, Summer Solstice Spaghetti Dinner and Evening Sail, Wine Tasting Evening and Pot Luck Fall Dinner.

The kitchen and dining area is the most northerly part of the building. Its primary purpose is to accommodate members during organized and sanctioned events. A few examples of these activities would be making meals for racers and crew during regattas, pot luck dinners or the banquet after the Scallywag race. At these times the organizers have complete care and control of this part of the facility which includes the fridges and stoves.

During times when the area is not being used for an organized event members are welcome to use the fridges, stoves and dining area. Fridges are meant to be used for short term storage only. By all means put your meat and veggies in the fridge if you are planning to have dinner up at the club. Containers that are left open in the fridge are considered to be donations for all members to use. Alternatively the open containers may be disposed of at any time at any members’ discretion.

Liquor may be stored in the fridges but the owner of the liquor must be at the clubhouse during this time. When the member is not at the clubhouse the alcohol may be left at the club but it must be kept in a container that is under lock and key. Unattended liquor found in the fridges is subject to confiscation.

Speaking of adult beverages, an ice machine is on site for you convince. It is located just off the playroom.

The kitchen area is also stalked with herbs, spices, oil, plastic wrap, tin foil, etc. All these items have been donated by members. If you see an item that is close to being depleted please feel free to resupply that item.

The gas grills by the deck are provided for your enjoyment. Reserve propane tanks are kept on the other side of the clubhouse in a locked cage. Your club key will allow you to access the tanks if needed.

This room is found behind the kitchen. It is furnished, and contains a television connected to VHS and DVD units along with a large toy box for kids’ rainy day entertainment. Sorry no cable or Netflix. You’ll also find the club library here.

There are women and mens’ washrooms located just inside the doors at the entrance located on the deck. A mobility impaired washroom can be found adjacent to the playroom at the back of the building. The two main washrooms are equipped with showers. If you are using the showers please activate the exhaust fan for at least 20 minutes.

This building houses club members’ lockers, a clothes dryer, dinghy sailors change rooms, a work shop, and general storage. Lockers are leased annually on a seniority basis. Space can be leased for inflatable dinghies, etc. during the offseason. You will also find freezers located here that contain complementary ice bottles for your boat’s ice box. When the bottles are no longer frozen just bring them back to the freezer and grab more.

Members’ dinghies are kept secure in this area for a nominal fee. Access can be gained to the compound with your club key.

Laser and Optimist dinghies are available at no charge to club members. Bookings should be made in advance to ensure access to the equipment.

Sailboats under 11,000 lbs. are welcome to use the crane and the tractor to launch and recover their boats in spring and fall, or any other time for that matter. A small fee for this service applies. The crane is kept under lock and key for security reasons. Should you wish to use the facilities please call or email ahead to ensure you will be given access to the crane. Prior arrangements should also be made to ensure that adequate staff will be on hand to help. You may also bring your own help. An experienced person must be on site to ensure the process goes smoothly. Please note crane privileges are not extended to a member until the current year’s due have been paid.

Before using the tractor please check the gas and oil levels. If either is required both can be found in the garden shed. Access can be gained to the shed with your club key.

During the process of lifting you mast and/or boat you must have the lifting area cordoned off by using the yellow “CAUTION” tape and barricades provided.

A gasoline powered pressure washer can be found in the garden shed that may be used to clean your hull at the end of the season.

There are two parking lots that are normally used by club members. The north lot, is located between and to the east of the clubhouse and the Coast Guard building. The south lot is located to the immediate south of the dinghy compound. Our lease allows us to park boats on the north lot and the north part of the south lot from September 15 to June 15. Should you require this service please indicate this on your membership renewal/application form. Trailers parked on the south and west side of the south lot at any time for any reason are subject to tow.

Internet is provided with your basic membership dues. This includes an enhanced signal that will reach your boat no matter where it is located in the harbour.

You will also find a sound system in the kitchen/dining area that you can link to your mobile phone for your listening enjoyment.