Long Term Planning Committee

Building a Stronger Future for Clearwater Yacht Club

Clearwater Yacht Club has thrived for more than a century because our members have always looked ahead. Today, we face a pivotal moment: our clubhouse and facilities have served us well, but age, weather, and evolving needs now make it clear that it’s time to rebuild for the future.

After thorough analysis and discussion, the Board of Directors, Finance Committee, and Board of Trustees have approved engaging DSDG Architects of Sarasota for the first phase of our clubhouse redevelopment plan.

Why We’re Acting Now

This effort isn’t about change for its own sake—it’s about responsible planning for the next generation. Our building systems are aging, space is limited, and our waterfront site must be optimized for safety, efficiency, and member enjoyment.

Engaging DSDG Architects now allows us to:

• Assess site use and maximize our property’s potential.
• Address zoning and permitting early with the City of Clearwater.
• Incorporate member input before final design.
• Develop realistic cost estimates for transparent planning.
• Define project scope so every member can make an informed vote.

The initial Concept Design Phase will cost about $70,000. If the project pauses, we pay only for work completed—ensuring financial responsibility every step of the way.

Why DSDG Architects

DSDG Architects brings proven expertise in coastal and yacht-club design, with successful projects at Sarasota Yacht Club, Bird Key Yacht Club, and other Gulf Coast facilities. They understand the culture of private clubs and how to balance beauty, functionality, and durability.

Their designs emphasize light, openness, and a connection to the water—qualities that define Clearwater Yacht Club. Just as importantly, they value collaboration and will work with our members to create a clubhouse that feels like home.

Member Involvement and Next Steps

Over the coming months, DSDG Architects will meet with committees and members to listen, learn, and refine concept plans. Once preliminary designs and cost estimates are ready, they will be shared with the entire membership. No construction will proceed without member approval.

We will release cost information as it becomes available—not just at the end—so everyone remains fully informed.

Looking Ahead Together

This project is about more than bricks and mortar; it’s about preserving our legacy and ensuring that Clearwater Yacht Club continues to thrive for generations. With careful planning, active member input, and expert guidance from DSDG Architects, we will create a clubhouse that honors our past and inspires our future.

Together, we are building not just a new clubhouse—but a stronger, more vibrant Clearwater Yacht Club.

True North

Last month we celebrated the release of the Compass in its new format. Now that the first issue has been put to bed, I can share some of the benefits as well as the initial results of setting the course we did. The Compass had been historically produced using commercially available software that resided on a single desktop computer outside of CYC. This required several rounds of back-and-forth edits, and collaboration was stifled due to time, distance, and access / knowledge of the layout program. By switching to Constant Contact, a known service already in use for other club communications, multiple contributors can access the same program and newsletter resulting in efficiency gains. Another benefit is that unlike a PDF, this email newsletter is mobile responsive. That means it will adjust to look differently depending if you are viewing it on a phone, tablet, or desktop computer. Don’t believe me? I’ll wait while you check it out now. This is the “True North” section after all. : )  A third benefit is that we can use Constant Contact to measure what is and isn’t working so that we can make data driven decisions about future content and format. I will close with some interesting statistics from the October 2025 issue of the Compass:

834 emails sent, 522 opens (63% open rate is at the top end of recent club emails)

78 clicks (9.5% click rate vs. 1% historical, most clicks = CYC Cruiser's Homecoming Weekend)

48.4% opened on a desktop / 51.6% opened on a mobile device

41.5% have Gmail (important to know since Gmail cuts off emails of a certain length and, if so, you will see a note and link at the bottom that says “[Message clipped] View entire message”)

19 clicked the Full Calendar of Events link (I hope to see this number increase over time as it is a live link to the club calendar online and in the new mobile app)

1 most active reader (besides the editors) =

IPC Rich Libonate (Thanks, Rich!)

Bow Chasers

As we embark on the 2025-26 season, the Board and Planning Committees of the Bow Chasers are hard at work planning great parties and excellent adventures!

So mark your calendars for our Bow Chaser Season Kick- Off Event November 6th at 5 pm at the Tiki Bar. Come on down and catch-up with old friends, meet new friends, or bring a CYC member friend who might like to join! This event coincides with “Yappy Hour” held at the Tiki Bar (bring your dog Happy Hour) and Karaoke right after. Remember to call or email the office if you decide to stay for dinner and Karaoke!

Surprise Appetizers and First Drink certificates for those who pay member dues ($25) during the kickoff event!

Other Planned Events with Dates to be Determined include:

• Bartending Night
• Bowling 
• Furniture Painting Class
• Night outs at various drink & dine localities

 And bringing back!…

• Sourdough Bread Class
• Line Dancing
• Jolley Trolley Pub Crawl

Sailing Activities

The sailors of the Bow Chasers will begin the sailing season in November. They meet on Tuesdays at 9:15 am at CYC on the West side of the parking lot where the prams (dinghy sailboats) are kept neatly in the rack. Come on down and see what we are all about as we rig and sail the historic prams designed specifically for Clearwater by Clark Mills circa 1948!

As a full or social member of CYC, you have an Executive Membership at the Clearwater Community Sailing Center (CCSC) on Gulf Blvd across from Sand Key Park. If you are new to sailing and need a lesson, you can make arrangements with them. They are very accommodating and willing to teach their skill.

As members of the Florida Women’s Sailing Association (FWSA), the sailors will be hosting two big events this year. This includes a General Meeting on January 21st, 2025 of all the women’s sailing groups in our region and the long-standing Rainbow Regatta in April.

CYC offers great opportunities for women through the Bow Chasers, Gulls, and Cruisers to learn and build camaraderie surrounded by the sea, all while having fun!

Come check us out and join!

Gulls Chatter

Recap of October 15, 2025 Gulls Luncheon: Haunted Curses of the Gulf Coast with Christopher Balzano

I am pleased to say that we had a very good turnout for this luncheon. Everyone seemed to enjoy Mr. Balzano and his presentation. He led us on a spirited journey through Florida’s haunted folklore, separating fact from fiction in tales of ghostly encounters and cursed legends. From the historically grounded stories of Hernando De Soto and haunted sites in Fort Myers and Bushnell to the more fanciful fabrications that have taken root in local lore, Mr. Balzano illuminated how truth and myth intertwine across the Gulf South. A perfect blend of chills and charm for the Halloween season! We hope to have him back again for more Florida stories.

We have 2 more events to round out the 2025 calendar year:

In the spirit of the season, one lucky lady will uncork a little extra joy - a holiday wine basket will be raffled alongside our usual 50/50!

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

11:00 a.m. Presentation Start

(Lunch served at 12 noon)

TRUTH, LIES AND IRISH EYES

Speaker: Maureen Belote

Storyteller Maureen Belote has spoken at many story swaps, including the National Storytelling Festival in Tennessee, on Zoom in Ireland and several states.  Locally you might catch her in Dunedin, Safety Harbor, Tampa and St. Petersburg.  She has been the featured entertainer at libraries, clubs, schools, churches, and even a wedding!

Storytelling to an audience began in the mid-1990s, though she had performed in local musicals before that. When, as a clown, it was suggested she was better at storytelling than face painting, she agreed and took it to heart. Now she paints with words!

Maureen enjoys listening to any well told tale and commands her own large repertoire spanning a wide range of subjects. Though she is best known for her Celtic program, she will wrap our imaginations and draw us in on November 12th with a selection she will choose to appeal to us.

Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Starting at 11:00 a.m.

“Kris Kringle Luncheon”

Please join us on this day for a joyful afternoon of holiday cheer, delicious dining, and a playful gift exchange! This year’s luncheon will feature a Kris Kringle-style swap, where each guest brings a wrapped gift valued up to $20.00. Wrap it well and prepare to part with it—because in Kris Kringle tradition, the best-laid plans often end up in someone else’s hands!

Gifts will be exchanged in a lighthearted round of surprise and suspense—no one knows what they’ll end up with, and that’s half the fun!

The dining room will be filled with the sounds of classic Christmas music, setting the mood for a warm and festive gathering. A thoughtfully curated holiday menu will be served, celebrating the season with flavor and flair.

Whether your gift is clever, cozy, or just plain quirky, come ready to laugh, mingle, and make merry. Let’s close the year with sparkle and camaraderie!

Be on the lookout for email announcements and to timely make your reservations and menu selections.

SO, WHAT’S HAPPENING FOR 2026??

Well --- be sure to read my December article so you will be in the know!

GILDA SAYS

“As the autumn winds whisper through the palms, Gilda reminds us: gratitude isn’t just a feeling—it’s a call to action. Let your thankfulness ripple outward in kindness.”

Speaking of 2026 ----- We will have the 2026 Gulls Dues Forms on the sign-in desk at our luncheons and in the accounting office for your convenience. We encourage all CYC Lady Members to join our Gulls and be a part of our group and reap the rewards of better speakers and entertainment at our Luncheons.

We would still like to see more CYC Ladies join us on the Wednesdays that we do not have scheduled Luncheons. A monthly meeting is held on the first Wednesday of each month. We meet downstairs in the Boardroom the Drydock at 10:30 a.m. to plan and coordinate future fun events/luncheons. On the other Wednesdays, we continue to meet downstairs, and play games, such as dominos, (otherwise known as “Chicken Foot”), etc. and then go upstairs and have lunch around noon. Please join us for a lot of chatter and fun.

As my term as President of the Gulls concludes in December 2025, I’d love to hear your thoughts on future events—suggestions, comments, or creative ideas are always welcome. Please email me at marcia50422@yahoo.com before then. And if you’ve ever considered stepping into a leadership role or know someone who might be a great fit, I’d be happy to chat.

November

October

Go Gators!

Gator Nation spotted some familiar faces in Gainesville! Anna Price, former CYC server and now a senior at UF, was all smiles at the Texas-Gators football showdown. She crossed paths with Jim Hannigan, CYC member, who was repping the Captain Morgan Ship Tailgate Tour.