The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Yacht clubs ponder merger
The new organization would be called Lorain Harbor Boat Club
Two boating organizations are looking to merge for summer of 2019 in Lorain. The Lorain Sailing & Yacht Club and the Westlake Yachting Club are negotiating to form the new Lorain Harbor Boat Club, said Joe Spainhourd, commodore of the sailing club. The new club would have about 130 active and lifetime members, with more associate and social members, Spainhourd said. The new group would operate out of the Lorain Sailing & Yacht Club marina, 108 Alabama Ave. in Lorain. The marina has about 52 usable docks and holds sail or motor boats up to 35 feet long.
Westlake Yachting Club has operated for years out of a building at Spitzer Riverside Marina, Spainhourd said. Officers of the two clubs began talking about a merger when the Westlake Yachting Club lost its lease last year due to a change in building ownership, he said.
“We talked to them and said, gee, a merger sounds like a good idea,” Spainhourd said. “They have a liquor license, and we have a marina and we have space.” Since then, the officers have worked on drafting a new constitution and bylaws to join the groups. A new governing board would draw officers from both clubs, according to plans. Both operate as nonprofits and the new club would also. The Westlake Yachting Club members have approved the merger; the Lorain Sailing & Yacht Club members will cast their votes March 16. If the merger is approved, the new club would renovate the marina building. Although the club would have a liquor license, Steinhourd said it permits sale and consumption of alcohol on premises by members, so the clubhouse would not sell alcohol to the general public.
The merger has come up for discussion in the Lorain Port Authority board meetings because the city of Lorain leases the marina to the Port, which then subleases it to the Lorain Sailing & Yacht Club. Port Executive Director Tom Brown recommended the Port board take no action until there is formal action by the city administration because the city is the property owner.
Lorain Safety-Service Director Dan Given declined to comment on the situation because he heard of the pending merger, but did not yet research any necessary city actions or obligations. The marina lease runs through 2039, Spainhourd said. The marina maintains a dock available for the U.S. Coast Guard and a dock for a repair boat used by Lorain Lighthouse Foundation.
The Lorain Sailing & Yacht Club this year has more reservations than at the same time in 2018, Spainhourd said. But there is space available for summer 2019 and anyone interested can call Operations Manager Bobby Rhodes at 440-288-0500. Incidentally, the name of the new club was selected by members via email survey.
Other options were the Lorain Boat Club, the Black River Boat Club and the Lorain Black River Boat Club, according to the Lorain Sailing & Yacht Club’s February newsletter.