KYC About Us History pg 5

These are early pictures of our KYC club house. The building stands on a site provided in 1945, by one of Kelowna's most honoured citizens Mr. S.M. Simpson.

The result of five years untiring effort by the executive to get a home for the Yacht Club.

These buildings were the original Radio station CKOV. Later the magistrate's offices. Purchased from the city and moved to our premises early in 1951.

Today the City of Kelowna has within its limits a boating organization both power and sail, which is second to none in the entire province of British Columbia. A clubhouse stands on a site provided in 1945, by one of Kelowna’s (now deceased) citizens, and owner of a sawmill, Mr. S.M. Simpson. Behind it there is situated one of the finest boat moorage basins in BC, providing moorage for 600 boats of all kinds and sizes. KYC is a testimony to the forward thinking of a few and the many thousands of volunteer hours contributed by its members.

During the fall of 1945, following World War II, a small group of boat owners, interested in the future of boating on Okanagan Lake, got together and formed a yacht club to promote safe family boating on Okanagan Lake. The founding members were:Cecil Newbury, Jack Copps, Harry Mitchell, Dr. Len Panton, George Sutherland and Sidney Hubble. Thanks to energies of these forward thinking citizens KYC was formed.

It reads:
"S.M., as he was known, sold 11 acres around city hall and the yacht club to the City of Kelowna, for a nominal sum, on the condition these lands be maintained for the use and enjoyment of its citizens."

By 1951 a clubhouse , a retired radio station building, was purchased for $150.00 and moved to the present property. At the time, a small inadequate breakwater owned by the Canadian Government had falling into disrepair and of little use, protected a small area in front of the property. KYC, through representation of the founders, were able to work with the Federal Government and replace the in-effective breakwater with a more adequate one to provide safe moorage for a very limited number of slips.

Over the years, the clubhouse and moorage has seen a number of renovations. The renovated and expanded facility developed into a full service yacht club with daily house and bar services, weekly specials to compliment the daily menu, and many special events throughout the year for members and guests.

We have a seating capacity of 125, and a full time staff of 18 including a general manager, office manager, food services manager and chefs. The club operation is overseen by 12 elected Board of Directors. There is now capacity for 1025 regular members. The moorage basin now has over 600 slips for member’s boats up to 40 feet in length including many full service, shore-power and city water slips.