History
The club was originally organized as a civil
defense unit. Early in World War II, small
craft in this area, which could measure up
to, certain specifications, were enrolled
under the Transport Controller for use by
civil or military authorities. In 1942, the
organization was incorporated as “Vancouver
Island Power Boat Squadrons” with the
threefold purpose of:
- Assisting in time of national or local
emergency.
- Fostering interest in the safe and
efficient handling of small craft.
- Promoting all matters of interest to
small craft operators.
Membership at this stage totaled 350 vessels
from 25 to 110 feet long, and the Squadrons
undertook patrols in the R.A.F. Gulf Islands
training area, blackout inspections for
A.R.P., and training exercises with Army
Reserve Forces.
When the war was ended, a majority of the
members voted to perpetuate the association
and added to its objective the functions of
a yacht club. A clubhouse was built at Canoe
Cove under a lease arrangements and late in
1947 the Bylaws were altered and the name
changed to “Capital City Yacht Club.” In
October 1957, the club abandoned its
situation at Canoe Cove. Much effort was put
forth during 1958 in the search for and
planning of a club-owned site which could be
developed as a club headquarters with
clubhouse and mooring facilities. At the
same time, negotiations with Clark Bros.
were being held and an agreement was
eventually reached late in 1958 to lease
from Clark Bros. in Tsehum Harbour. A
panabode type building was purchased and
erected by the personal efforts of the Club
members on Clark Bros. property during the
summer of 1959.
The Clubhouse gave the C.C.Y.C. members
the feeling of owning and with this
inspiration, suitable property was located
in Blue Heron Bay, just south of Tsehum
Harbour. Negotiations for the purchase of
some two acres were completed in May,
1964. During the next few years a
foreshore lease was applied for and
received. Plans to move the Clubhouse
became a fact in the later part of 1966.
The 1967 programme included the dredging
of the entrance channel on a cost sharing
basis with the Government of Canada. When
this project was completed the same
company continued into Blue Heron Basin
where a total of 36,149 cubic yards were
extracted. All costs for this were paid
for by the club. A pile driving company
was the next step and approximately 30
piles were driven in the bay. A great deal
of praise and credit should be given to
the members, the Ladies’ Auxiliary and the
newly constituted junior members for the
work parties, properly organized, in the
building of the floats, wharfs and the
grounds surrounding the area. By April
1st., 1968, 825 ft. of mooring floats and
docks were placed in the water ready for
use by the membership.
Between 1968 and 1972 there were
boatsheds moved into the newly formed
moorage area. Twelve members worked
diligently to design and build a covered
moorage complex, which greatly enhanced
the Basin area. The Ladies’ Auxiliary were
working hard during this time planning and
arranging the landscaping of the uplands
area. The Ladies’ Auxiliary also paid for
the paving of the parking area which was a
very great asset for our Club.
The General Meeting in 1972 approved an
overall plan for development of the Club.
This plan was divided into five separate
phases and presented to North Saanich
Council in April, 1973, for their
approval, which was granted. This first
phase consisted of the extension of our
present Clubhouse. Many meetings followed
and then construction began with the
members taking part by way of work
parties. All the while the Clubhouse was
being constructed, the plans for the
dredging were being prepared and in June,
1973, ten copies were sent to Ottawa and
one to the Department of Fisheries for
their approval. These approvals were
granted in the latter part of June and
July, 1973.
This then allowed us to prepare tender
documents and call tenders for the
dredging and driving of piles for the
wharfs. Tenders were opened September 6,
1973 with Greenlees Piledriving being the
lowest tender received. The contract was
awarded and work proceeded through the
winter and following spring. By June,
1974, the dredging was complete, piles
driven and approximately 600 feet of wharf
constructed. During this winter and spring
the Clubhouse was progressing very well
and a final drive of work parties
completed the job in time for our Sailpast
in June, 1974. A great deal of credit
should go to the Properties Committee for
their hard work and also the Ladies for
their donation of drapes, etc.
The next phase on the foreshore was the
construction of the covered moorage. W.
Campbell Ltd. was awarded the contract to
design and build these structures. They
were started in late August and completed
in October, 1974. The new units gave us an
additional 46 covered berths and improved
the overall appearance of the basin.
Erosion along the Clubhouse and parking
lot foreshore eventually necessitated a
retaining wall. Some creosoted piles were
donated to the club, and in 1980 a
contract was let to drive them all along
the bank. More support proved necessary
and in 1982 a further contract installed
cross ties and anchors. This has produced
a solid and durable retaining wall which
has been capped with a cement walkway. The
finishing touch is given by aluminum guard
rails to match the new aluminum ramp. In
the same year the grid was extended five
feet through the dedicated efforts of some
Club members. Further improvements are
intended as popular use of the gird
continues.
During 1984 the Clubhouse was extended
by 500 square feet and a new garage style
storage building was installed to the west
of the parking area. B and C docks were
rebuilt during 1984, 1985 and 1986. The
year 1986 saw major renovations to the
Clubhouse heads, a new rear entry and some
renovations to the galley. The seawall was
extended in 1987 from the gate west to the
Cole property. This was necessary to
stabilize the parking lot in that area and
allow for future dredging in the adjacent
channel.
An agreement was reached to purchase the
Cole property in 1985, and this was
completed in 1988. Planning an extension
to our water lease was also initiated at
the same time. Development plans and
related permits were prepared. Final
permits were received in 1988 with plans
for some 37 new berths in our basin.
Approval for the related expenditures was
given by the membership at the Annual
General Meeting in November, 1988, and a
contract was let to install a seawall
extension west from the existing wall in
front of the Cole property. This was
completed in the early part of 1989 and
dredging was done later in the year.
onstruction and installation of E dock was
completed in 1990.
The new breakwater was completed in 1991.
1992 - 1993 two new double wide boat
sheds were completed.
1994 - Two more double wide boat houses
were completed and the electrical
upgrading continued.
1995 - Was a very busy year - 3
additional double wide boat houses were
built, an office was added to the storage
shed, C Docks roof replacement was
started, a canopy was built over the
entrance to the club house, the electrical
upgrading was completed and the Les Cole
house was renovated.
1996 - A year of Construction and
Destruction! During the year three double
wide boat houses were constructed. The
main wharf of E Dock was moved back 15
feet and the fingers were replaced with
larger ones. The fingers were also
replaced on BB Dock. New dock lighting was
installed on A, B, and E Docks. The
foreshore purchase was concluded with the
exception of final documentation. The
seawall repairs were completed and the
balance of the plans were to be started
when ---- the “Blizzard of ‘96” struck. C
Dock collapsed under the weight of the
snow and high winds. A and B Docks also
lost boat houses. 31 boats were sunk and
dozens of boats damaged. Within hours of
the disaster the Canadian Coast Guard was
on the scene along with the crews of
Campbell Construction and Victoria Pile
Driving. Our members began arriving and
assisting wherever they were needed. So
began the lengthy and exhausting task of
clearing, refloating the boats and
rebuilding. Our Club has a strong
tradition of volunteerism and if ever it
has been put to the test, this is it!
1997 - The beginning of the year saw many
of our members undertaking the massive
cleanup of both sunken and floating
debris. A considerable amount of aluminum
was salvaged for later sale and under the
watchful eye of ex-fire chiefs the balance
of the debris was burned. A contract was
let for 37 piles to be driven and 500 feet
of dock space for C wharf. Before building
of the boathouses got underway, a fire on
B wharf destroyed 2 boathouses and damaged
a third. Two tenders were called, the
first for a 24 double wide and six single
boathouses and the second, to replace the
burned boathouses and the damaged one.
Once construction began Members completed
all the necessary electrical, plumbing,
locating and connecting the boathouses
together with anyother miscellaneous jobs.
A sale of bonds within the membership
raised $560,000.00 which together with the
insurance proceeds was sufficient to
complete the work. Eleven months to the
day the project was completed and all the
berths assigned. Also during the year the
membership finished the seawall
improvements, the entry gate building and
the installation of the new ramp. The flag
pole was refurbished and relocated and
finally the surrounding area was
landscaped. During the next two years our
volunteer workers continued to improve the
Club’s facilities. A second entry gate and
house leading to D wharf was constructed.
The balance of the lawn area was regraded
and seeded to lawn. During this period a
Fire Protection system consisting of
mains, stand pipes hose boxes and fire
extinguishers were installed on C wharf.
Mains and standpipes were also installed
on A & B wharves and initial
installation was begun on D wharf. The
Electrical system was completed and passed
a final inspection. As-built drawings of
the entire electrical system were made and
are stored on an auto cad disc. At the
same time general maintenance was carried
on throughout the property. In the all of
1999 the Cole house was repainted and a
contract was let for the repaving of the
westerly portion of the parking lot. At
the end of 1999 a second repayment of the
bond issue was made leaving a balance of
only $182,000.00 to be carried into the
year 2000.
Between the years 2000 and 2004 a number
of changes and improvements have taken
place. Repayment of the bonds was
completed. The first lady was appointed to
the Directorship and the members agreed by
vote to construct a new clubhouse. Sadly
the Ladies Auxiliary was disbanded and an
Auxiliary was formed to include all
members. “A” wharf was rebuilt and four
double wide boathouses were added
replacing old ones. The end of B wharf was
rebuilt. The complex was split replacing
one half with three double wide
boathouses. In all 850 feet of services
and wharves were rebuilt on A and B
wharves by volunteer members.
In 2007, after a three year period the
members of the Auxiliary unanimously decided
to revert back to the name Ladies Auxiliary
and change the bylaws accordingly. The
volunteer work crews continued to be kept
busy with a number of projects. The Ladies
Auxiliary made a significant contribution
towards replacing the old sign and the
volunteer work crews erected the sign along
with supporting structures, landscaping,
street improvements and a new entrance. “D”
wharf fingers were upgraded and a new sewer
pumping system station for the Cole house
was completed. Fobs replaced the keys with
the installation of a computer operated
security system. After two unsuccessful
meetings the members of the Club finally
approved the financing cost of a new
clubhouse. In May 2009 the old clubhouse was
demolished and the construction of a new one
began. 2010 saw the completion of the new
clubhouse and the first Lady Fleet Captain
in the history of Club.
In 2010 the new clubhouse was completed on
the site of the old clubhouse with a much
larger footprint. Some work was contracted
out and some was done by the volunteering of
our membership. New landscaping was
completed around the building and we were
once again in the business of club
activities in our new facility
In November 2012 CCYC elected its first Lady
Commodore, Teresa Sandwith.
In 2013 the seawall was replaced from A
kiosk to B kiosk and a new railing, walkway
and decorative planters were constructed
upon the completion of the seawall. New
dinghy docks were installed along with a
winch lift for small boats and motors.
In 2014, the work crews build a covered BBQ
open hut outside the kitchen back door. The
Barbeque is hooked up to our natural gas
line. Lights were installed inside the open
hut. After having the seawall replaced the
year before, the club had the parking lot
repaved with new lines and handicapped spots
put in.
In 2015, the work crews installed drainage
in the lawn of temporary parking area for
improved drainage to enable earlier use of
this area. The fall saw work start on
replacing the old walkway in front of the
clubhouse with the capping off the
breakwater with concrete with new railing on
top and the rebuilding of the flagpole and
adjacent area.
In 2016 the Work Party completed the seawall
concrete cap and walkway with post and chain
railing. The next project was memorial
garden area and improved landscaping.
Started the upgrade and enlargement of the
Cole House parking area complete with
continuation of the hedge.
In 2017, the Work Parties completed Cole
house parking area repaving. Installed a new
sound system complete with video projector
and screen. Started the first phase to
replace safety ladders with aluminum drop
down ones and also started the future
storage building, includes permits,
excavation, and pouring the foundation. An
anchor was also placed at the driveway
entrance to our club property.
In 2018, Work continued with the
construction of the storage building which
included the cement work of the retaining
wall, floor and walkways. Upgrading water
systems to the Cole house, “D” dock and
irrigation system around the storage
building. Completed the landscaping around
the storage building and installed the
electrical supply to the building. In the
Fall framing was completed with installation
of a metal roof and electrical rough in.
This was all accomplished by the volunteer
members of our work parties. Phase 2 of the
aluminum dock ladders was also completed.
In 2019, construction on the storage
building was completed and the occupancy
permit was granted in October.The Grounds
Crew, Fleet Captain and Members’ workshop
moved into the new building along with 20
storage lockers finished and rented. The
“bottle depot” in a metal garden shed was
moved into the new storage building and the
metal shed removed. The Ladies Auxiliary
changed its name to “The Auxiliary of the
Capital City Yacht Club”. A new ice machine
was purchased for the Clubhouse, made
possible with donations from the Bar
Committee and The Auxiliary.
In 2020, despite Covid-19 the club managed
three events before things were basically
shut down for the year. Later in the year
when things relaxed a little, a few casual
cruises and an on the water Sailpast were
held.
The Clubhouse Committee purchased new patio
furniture with support from The Auxiliary
and also started the long needed renovations
to the Cole house, Grounds lost one of the
Garry Oaks by the entranceway and won a
second place in the Victoria Christmas
decorating contest (business category),
Wharves & Safety continued with the
ongoing repairs to the docks and boathouses
and Planning saw the completion of the
members only workshop and began renovations
to the old office building.
In 2021, Covid 19 unfortunately still had a
hold on our activities. The club managed to
hold one club cruise, a few casual cruises
and one private event before things
tightened up again.
The Clubhouse Committee purchased a new
double door cooler for the bar with support
from The Auxiliary and video surveillance
system for the grounds, exterior of the club
house and out buildings. The Cole house
renovations included new windows, deck and
patio.
The work party crew was kept busy with new
wood siding installed on the old office
building and the wharves & safety crew
completed the balance of the new aluminum
re-boarding ladders.
2022 saw the work party’s complete the
upgrades of the old office/storage building
and both dock kiosks installing new metal
roofs, gutters and the rebuilding the
elevated walkway on the grid.
They also completed the front of Cole House
upgrade with new patio, deck, windows,
doors, insulation, and siding and started
the upgrades on sides of house.
The Planning Committee started the planning
stage for the replacement of D dock and
upgrade of our computer system continues.
Also a new wall of cupboards was built and
installed in the office for history and
accounting documents.
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