A club that offers summer programs for youth in Chatham-Kent is hoping the community will provide its support for some much-needed repairs.
The Rondeau Yacht Club (RYC) at Rondeau Provincial Park has launched two fundraisers — the Chimney Sweep’stakes 50/50 draw and an online auction — in an effort to raise money for necessary structural repairs to the club’s historic building.
“Our building was built in 1932 and we had to have some engineering assessments completed on the building… We’re built on quite marshy soil as well, so we’ve had some settling and some foundation issues,” said club board member Shannon Crichton. “We do need some significant repairs.”
To save the 90-year-old building, Crichton said several renovations need to be made including attic reinforcements, joist repairs, pier replacements, a foundation wall replacement and a new foundation under the chimney and fireplace. Chrichton said the repairs could cost anywhere from $70,000 to $145,000.
The RYC offers several water-based opportunities for youth to learn swimming, canoeing, windsurfing, sailing and water safety.
“We’re a not-for-profit camp that’s run over eight weeks during the summer months and we have campers aged four to 16,” said Crichton.
The club also officers an accessible sailing program for those with disabilities, which is utilized by the Children’s Treatment Centre of Chatham-Kent every year.
For more information about the 50/50 draw and how to enter, click here. And to check out the items being sold on the online auction, click here.
Both fundraisers come to a close on July 30.