Canadian Yachting October 2019 - 6

Alexandra YC on the left with National
YC on the right shows a clean parking
lot after spring launch and every boat
neatly tucked into its own slip.

vided a magnificent view of the Toronto bay.
By 1911 the annual Senior dues were set at $3.00 and
Proposition dues at $1.00. Quite a strange name for what we
might now call Social or Associate members who did not own
boats! This lovely spot was not to last long. That same year, the
city transferred all of Ashbridge's Bay, the marsh and waterfront
lands to the newly formed Toronto Harbour Commission (THC)
for development of commercial docks which would obliterate
Fisherman's Island.
They appealed to the mayor for help finding an alternative
site in 1914. This was granted and the clubhouse was to be
moved across the bay on barges and set up on steel piles on the
northeast end of Ward's Island (Ward's Point) some 300 feet
from the shore line. Ironically, Ward's Point was another sand
bar created by the city's dredging program.
Transportation to the new location across the bay created its
own unique problem resulting in a loss of members. However,
the club continued to be very socially active with 78 members
and were able to hang on financially where other area sporting
clubs struggled. As with most clubs during the war years, incoming dues dwindled and member manpower was almost non-existent. Listed among their assets was a piano worth $375 which
was moved to the commodore's house during the fall of 1918. In
hindsight this was a wise decision. Several months later, the
clubhouse collapsed from ice pushed up against the unsupported
pilings and many members' boats were damaged. Needless to say,
the result on the club and its members was truly devastating.
Again, a delegation of members approached the THC for
help. They gave their support and offered a site at the foot of
Bathurst Street (next to where the National YC had moved sev-

Although it wasn't grand, the AYC clubhouse
in 1978 was welcoming.

Canadian Yachting

eral years earlier). The new location was
not ideal as a large sandbar was directly in
front of where the clubhouse would sit,
with a depth of only 14 inches, making it
almost impossible to launch anything but
a canoe. Immediate plans were made for
a dinghy house which was completed by
the Fall. Although dredging commenced, the area continued to
silt in. With the loss of members to other clubs and the money
all used up to construct the dinghy house, the club sunk deeper
into debt. By 1932 back taxes had not been paid for many years.
Times were tough during the Depression and during WWII and
many other clubs were in the same boat.
The club then moved from the corner location, 100 feet further south with 150 feet of water frontage that they would occupy until 1987 for an annual rate of $1.00/ft. The clubhouse was
moved, and then a covered veranda, proper washrooms, paving
and sodding were added. In April 1938 the club had applied for
and obtained its charter. In June 1988, the opening ceremonies
were held for their fourth and current two-story building constructed on landfill on the north side of the Western Gap across
from the Island Airport. Through all the lean years, the
Alexandra Yacht Club was fortunate to have a sympathetic landlord, the Toronto Harbour Commissioners, to which they owe a
great debt of gratitude.
The following invitation was extended to entice those interested boaters to become 'Prospective Members', "If you own a
boat and wish to moor it where good fellowship is more important than 'style', slip down behind the Tip Top Tailor building
and meet some unostentatious sailors who will be pleased to
shake your hand and offer to you their co-operation in your sailing and motor boating activities."
Through all the upheaval, the Alexandra YC still managed to
maintain their membership with the Lake Yacht Racing
Association and Lake Sailing Skiff Association, hosting regattas
in 1916 and 1934. AYC members also participated in many local
regattas during this time frame.
Today, the Alexandra YC holds a Spring and Summer racing
series on Thursday nights divided into flying and non-flying
sails. As a club they have had great participation and winning
boats in interclub racing since the 1920s. AYC boats that have
participated in the Lake Ontario 300 have finished on the podium. As a founding member of the AHMEN series, (The A in
AHMEN is AYC) they host one of the largest racing series in the
province. As a club they certainly seem to win far more races
than their numbers would suggest.
Many of the members focus more on member-run fun
events. It remains an active Self-Help club with 100 Senior and
25 Associate members who enjoy both sail and power boats.
Members contribute a minimum of 16 work hours to help maintain upkeep and repairs to the property. Dockage consists of several interconnected floating docks and a number of swing
moorings. Best of all are the social events and informal winter

OCTOBER 2019

Canadian Yachting October 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Canadian Yachting October 2019