Staying afloat
Georges River Boat Club has long history in area
The Georges River Boat Club recently had elections and the new commodore is Donald Jessome.
The first mate is Owen Marsh, the second mate is Lionel Jessome, and the secretary-treasurer is Shawn MacDonald. Donald Jessome was commodore for years, then Ronnie Clarke stepped in last year for a year, and did a fine job.
The three directors are Ronnie Clarke, Jeff Brown and David Muir, while the wharf committee is comprised of George Maxner, Owen Marsh and John Fraser.
The club was established in the mid-1950s by a group of men of whom Ray Howatson is the last living member; it was then known as the Bras d’Or Power Boat Club. It went dormant until 1990 when a new group started it up again, and a new wharf was constructed.
In 2004, under a new executive, the club was reorganized, and with the help of the province, $40 000 was granted. A slipway was paved to the shore, and a new road was constructed along the 620 feet of waterfront.
Current activites include a poker run on August 22 which is a slow race to each point; you’re given five cards: the first card is given at the club, the second one at Christie’s Wharf, the third one at Groves Point, the fourth one at Long Island and the fifth one back at the club. The first prize is a cash prize and numerous draws follow.
At present, the club is building a new wharf costing around $20,000 with the help of Health and Wellness Nova Scotia and the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
Last year’s project was a new sewer pump house; it’s the only one in the area, the nearest ones being at Ross Ferry and Baddeck. It was a $32,000 project with the help of ECBC, who shared the cost. They also upgraded the launch pad last year.
They extended the boardwalk 150 feet, and put in new finger piers.
A future project is a new club house; it will have a common area, a bathroom and a washer and dryer for boaters.
The club has employed students for the past 12 years during the summer; they come from all areas and backgrounds. This summer, one student is employed.
The Georges River Boat Club has more than 55 members, and it is a very active one. It is accepting new members, and the contact person is Donald Jessome at 902-794-4874.
Gordon Sampson is a retired teacher who lives in his hometown of North Sydney. His column will appear weekly in the Cape Breton Post. He writes a separate column in the Cape Breton Community Post. Anyone with community news can contact him at
gh.sampson@ns.sympatico.ca.