A zephyr for Clearwater's community sailing center

By Mike Donila, Times Staff Writer
In print: Friday, April 18, 2008

The Clearwater Community Sailing Center will expand its facility on Sand Key. The site will be able to accommodate a class and programs at the same time. Construction begins next week.
	[ATOYIA DEANS | Times]

Story Tools E-mail this story Contact the editor Print this story Comment on this story Social Bookmarking Digg Facebook Stumbleupon Reddit Del.icio.us Newsvine

ADVERTISEMENT

CLEARWATER — As wind-driven sails expand this summer, so, too, will the building on Sand Key where many of those boats are launched.

The Clearwater Community Sailing Center — known not only for teaching sailing, but also for making it affordable — will construct two decks on the north side of its two-story building.

Work on the $269,280 project starts next week and should be done by August. When finished, the two new wood and concrete decks will allow the center to hold a class and conduct programs simultaneously, as well as provide additional shelter for boaters in stormy weather.

Here's more about the center and its expansion:

Why now?

The money comes from the voter-approved Penny for Pinellas sales tax. The project was approved last year, and now it has been designed and permitted.

Who runs it?

Owned by the city, the center is a public-private venture operated by the nonprofit Clearwater Community Sailing Association. The association covers most day-to-day costs. The city takes care of repairs and enhancements.

Who uses it?

A bunch of people. In the past three years, more than 2,500 young people have taken classes, and 3,000 visitors have watched or participated in the center's regattas, which draw sailors from around the world. It also has 85 to 90 boats that residents pay a nominal fee to store there.

The center teaches individual and group sailing classes and uses sailing to teach team-building to government and corporate groups. The center also hosts receptions, Coast Guard safe boating programs and Special Olympics training.

What's coming?

The center will extend the decks on the ground floor and second-story floors, adding 3,800 square feet in all. The covered decks will have lighting, drop-down weather curtains and will hold about 100 people each.

What are they saying?

"The expansion gives us more flexibility for classes," said the center's director, Al Humphers. "This is going to be a very important area for us."

How can I lean more?

The sailing center will host an open house from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday that includes free sailboat rides and food.

Check out what the center has to offer, including memberships, rentals, lessons and camps. Or visit the center at 1001 Gulf Blvd., across from Sand Key Park, call (727) 517-7776, or visit clear
watercommunitysailing.org.