Queen City Yacht Club
2 Seneca Avenue M5W 1C2 Toronto, ON, Canada

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BOARD REPORT We Can Now Open But Hold Off A Bit The Province announced yesterday that boat clubs will be allowed to open and recreational boating is now allowed. It doesn’t mean we are open. It just allows us to be open. But not our clubhouse, except for washrooms. So, hold off a bit for now....Continue reading

BOARD REPORT Launch Survey Coming As you are aware, the yacht clubs in the Toronto area have just been given permission to launch boats. This is not, however, unconditional. We are required to adhere to workplace safety requirements and all applicable Covid 19 restrictions applicable to our situation which include limiting numbers, two metre minimum personal distancing, personal protection equipment (PPE, masks, gloves, coverall, hand sanitizers, etc.), and no access to the c...Continue reading

BOARD REPORT Things are suddenly happening fast. About a month before we thought they would. Last Friday the provincial government unexpectedly lifted some restrictions on some businesses including "marinas". Yesterday we got a letter from our landlord, the City of Toronto saying if we considered ourselves a "marina" they would not object to us carrying out the activities outlined by the Province. You may have also heard reports of other yacht clubs announcing plans for boat ...Continue reading

BOARD UPDATE Re Provincial Gov’t Announcement of May 1, 2020. As was highlighted in the QC Gybe last Friday, the provincial government announced that marinas may begin preparations for the recreational boating season by servicing boats and other watercraft and placing boats in the water, but not open to the public. Boats and watercraft must be secured to a dock in the marina until public access is allowed. ... That sounds encouraging. But what does it actually mean for QCYC? The Board had a special meeting yesterday (Saturday), to try to try to determine that. It appears, assuming yacht clubs fall under marinas, that we are now, within the constraints of the announcement, allowed to launch boats. But don’t get excited yet. The complication is that by other legislation still in effect the club is still closed with no member access to the buildings, the yard, or members’ boats. So without member access to their boats, how are they able to prepare them for launch? And we are also still required to abide by strict Covid 19 protective measures of social distancing and group size. That dictates a very small launch crew with limited capability to move large boats or any cradles. That results in a very slow and limited launch process that could take many weeks. So, lots still to be worked out. Based on this announcement, however, the Board did approve the launch of one boat that is a member’s principal residence. This boat is easily launched by a small group in accordance with all applicable Covid 19 protective measures as those exercised by our flood control volunteers. This live aboard member will now become part of our live aboard 7/24 flood protection group. The cradle can be left on the car for the time being. No other launches are planned until we get further clarification on other issues such as member access. The Board and staff of Ontario Sailing, the provincial organization representing Ontario sailing clubs are meeting with industry leaders to assess the interpretation of this announcement on the sailing community. It is unfortunate that this announcement was made on a Friday. We are waiting feedback from them in order to better assess the impact of this announcement on yacht clubs and QCYC in particular. So, until then, not much has really changed. But this announcement does exemplify how difficult and complex the road to normal will be as restrictions are gradually lifted. Planning is difficult without knowing what restrictions will be lifted when and as each announcement is made interpreting its actual meaning and its impact on our operations. So, stay tuned, stay patient, stay adaptable, and stay healthy. Ron Mazza Commodore