TALKING SHOP Simon Gatrell CMM Major renovation helps RVYC win Club of the Year Recently recognised as the 2017 Club of the Year (medium club category) by the Canadian Society of Club Managers, Royal Victoria Yacht Club (RVYC) – which is celebrating its 125 th anniversary this year – is fresh from extensive refurbishment of its two club marinas. Carol Fulford invited general manager, Simon Gatrell CMM, to talk shop. It all started with a birthday. In 1888, eleven yachtsmen in and around the Canadian city of Victoria decided that a sailing race should be part of the festivities that marked Queen Victoria’s 24 th May birthday – the national Victoria Day holiday. The result was the first organised yacht race in British Columbia and it was a highlight of the celebration. People were keen to continue the racing season and on 8 th June 1892, 46 yachtsmen founded the Victoria Yacht Club. By 1912, after sharing accommodation on Victoria’s Inner Harbour and basing themselves in a floating clubhouse that didn’t always float, the Club had received its ‘Royal’ prefix from King George V and owned property on the shore of Cadboro Bay. The clubhouse designed by William d’Oyly Rochfort is still in use; much renovated but retaining its historic charm. In 1962, the need for additional berths prompted the Club to secure Tsehum Haven. Over the years, RVYC acted as a regular host for regattas and world championship races and has continuously evolved an enviable racing calendar. It also offers two of the only marinas in the area with new docks, has recently invested in pump-out services, and enjoys full occupancy. “All berths are for Club members only but we have a visitor dock for reciprocal clubs, which is heavily used over the summer months,” Gatrell explains. “Currently, we have reciprocal arrangements with 160 clubs worldwide.” “Both of our marinas are full with a large waitlist. For the larger boats, members can expect to wait five years plus before they receive a slip,” he confirms. Slips are assigned based on length and date of application. Refurbishing Cadboro Bay Heavy-duty pressure treated lumber and glass fibre mini mesh decking were selected to replace the old docks and create a 256-slip system at Cadboro Bay. The old docks here and at Tsehum Haven were mostly given away for private individuals to save on disposal costs. “Being on the west coast it was important to have docks that stand up well to rain and the cold winters,” Gatrell says. “The mesh decking proved to be non-slip in icy and wet conditions and Above: Cadboro Bay now has a new 256-slip marina system. Right: The Royal Victoria Yacht Club celebrates its 125 th anniversary. 16 www.marinaworld.com - September/October2017
TALKING SHOP let light through to the seabed for fish habitat.” Salish Sea Marine, contracted for the rebuild, installed the epoxy coated steel pilings and docks, which were manufactured by Jornic Marine. The marina was designed by Victoriabased Read James Christoffersen (RJC). Canem Systems upgraded the electrical system using AC Dandy pedestals and Triacta meters. Cadboro Bay is the first marina in the area to install a complete fire suppression system for the docks, and installation became a major issue. “The main water line/pipe to feed this has to run across the entire property to the head of the docks. During the permit application it was discovered that the whole property is on a First Nations midden and possible burial ground. The trench was only 18in [46cm] wide and 3ft [1m] deep but took three months to dig as they could only dig at 2in (51mm) per scoop, then sift through the dirt for any artefacts that were present. The cost rose from ,000 to well over 0,000 for that component.” However, despite this financial setback, the .5 million total cost for the three-month project came in approximately ,000 under budget. Refurbishing Tsehum Haven As for Cadboro Bay, Tsehum has had a completely new dock system for 63 slips. Designed by RJC and built by Heavy Metal Marine, the marina has a pressure treated timber system, mini mesh decking and steel piles. Canem Systems installed a similar electrical system. Tsehum Haven also has 20 privately owned boathouses, which pay a monthly mooring fee based on total area rather than length. The logistics of moving the boathouses around Tsehum Haven (above & left) has 63 slips, 20 privately owned boathouses and makes excellent use of space. during the renovation was the major hurdle. “We are a full capacity marina so the construction needed to be in phases so that boats could be moved and boathouses placed in the docks temporarily.” Construction was completed in eight weeks at a cost of .3 million. Care for the environment Replacing dock systems to strict environmental standards and installing a water treatment plant has enabled RVYC to attain a Clean Marine BC 4 Anchor rating but a recently purchased portable pump-out system will enable the Club to reach 5 Anchor status when its certification is up for renewal. Gatrell also reveals many other initiatives aimed at preserving the longevity of the Club’s picturesque tranquillity and its teeming marine life. “Creating an environmentally stable ecosystem starts with educating the users of the ecosystem,” he asserts. RVYC provides many seminars on matters such as proper and environmentally friendly engine maintenance and glass fibre boat repair; collision prevention and clean-up procedures; the coastal marine life; and storing boats for winter and preparing them in spring. It also screens marine conservation films. The Club has also made improvements to its facilities and two-acre grounds. “In our foreshore department, we installed an oil trap electrocoagulation water filtration system. This system takes the boat wash water from the ‘ways’ and hoist Smiling faces on Canada Day! The RVYC hosts many events and functions. www.marinaworld.com - September/October2017 17
