West Channel Yacht Club was established in 1972. The founding members, 40 strong, envisioned an idea to acquire
property on the West Bank of the Chagrin River in Eastlake, Ohio. After negotiating a Land Contract on the property,
they worked many hours to change the complexion of the vacant property to dockage facilities.
In 1973, a building fund was established by selling notes. Additional funds were gotten through reverse raffle and selling
advertising in the first ever, WCYC Yearbook. By 1976, the club was flourishing and the Main Room of The Club House
was erected. In 1977, we exercised the option of our Land Contract, secured a second mortgage and made purchase of
the club property, titling property in the name of West Channel Yacht Club, Inc. An 800 Foot Long Bulkhead was also
installed at the riverfront of the property.This project was completed in 1978.
In 1980, a travel lift was purchased and a launch pit built, allowing the ability to put boats in and out of the water at the
club property.
The next decade saw numerous improvements both to the clubhouse, grounds and dockside. In 1989, we encountered two
of the worst back to back floods in club history.
In 1993, one of our largest project projects in the clubs history began. Our river bulkhead was failing and needed to be
replaced. The task of securing financing for this major project became a reality in 1994. In fall of 1994, work began on
replacement of the bulkhead with a new steel bulkhead. The new bulkhead would be several feet higher and alleviate most
of our flooding issues of years past. In addition, this project included all new quality floating docks, new lighted stanchions
at dockside with water and electric.
In 1994, West Channel Yacht Club saw our first ever female Commodore elected.
Continued progress in adding amenities and improving others was seen as we added a large brick BBQ behind the
clubhouse in 1998 and in 1999 the front deck of the clubhouse was re-built. As we entered the new millennium we saw
the need to address some more major improvements to our facilities.
In 2002, the kitchen of the clubhouse was remodeled. In 2006, we secured financing to make several major
improvements to the club. Completed by 2007 were a new roof on the clubhouse including new gutters and a beautiful
new heated in ground pool complex. In 2008, the final stage of the project, our boat launch pit was completely replaced.
The History of West Channel Club is surrounded by dedicated, hard working and determined members who have always
and continue to have, a desire to make our club shine and that it does!
| West Channel Yacht Club History |
| The History of West Channel Yacht Club spans a period of almost four decades. This is an abbreviated overview of those years. |
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