In the Wind. March 15, 2007

Ahoy JSCA Members:
Here is what’s “in the wind”, coming events and items of interest at the Jericho Sailing Centre, your ocean access community centre, for March 15-29, 2007 and beyond:

Marginal Planning Meeting March 27 @ 1900H
Just east of the Jericho Sailing Centre there is a large concrete and wood structure known as the “Marginal Wharf” which has been hanging over the Jericho shoreline for the past 70 years. It was originally a taxi way for the Department of National Defense’s large Stranraer seaplanes to make their way between the on land hangers which were their homes and the ramp leading into their runway, the sea. The derelict structure will be the subject of public meeting(s) this Spring hosted by the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation. What to do? When considered by the Jericho Beach Park Advisory Committee in 1990 the options were to spend $350,000 to repair it or the same amount to demolish and remove it. Many local residents expressed their joy at the strolling and viewing opportunities the wharf provided them but in the end they were not moved to provide finite tax dollars toward it – nothing was done. In the time since then the wooden support structure has deteriorated substantially. Every time a drift log gets in there in stormy weather it acts like a battering ram playing pinball off the pilings. At low tide you can easily assess the damage, noting countless broken and cracked pilings and the failing huge wooden beams which support the concrete slabs-I wouldn’t recommend standing directly under it!
Two years ago the JSCA anticipated that the structure would need to be addressed and drafted a letter to the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation stating:
“That the JSCA supports the removal of the marginal wharf to return the beach to it’s natural state to facilitate ocean access for naturally powered watercraft.”
The JSCA Planning Committee, as part of the Jericho Sailing Centre Compound Development Plan has designed a gate, midships in the east fence, to access the large grass area, and ultimately the newly liberated beach when and if the wharf is removed. Our paddlers and windsurfers are going to love this. It may also provide other ocean access opportunities to the communities we serve.
The Marginal Wharf is being studied now by the Park Board’s engineering consultants. Their findings will be reported at the public meeting(s) with the Park Board seeking input from concerned citizens. The first public meeting will be held here at the Jericho Sailing Centre in late April or May. We will notify our members of the particulars as more information becomes available and encourage them to be involved, regardless of their point of view.
And speaking of points of view…. We strive to represent our members to the best of our abilities and therefore put this to you as our Jericho Members Question of the Week:
“Do you agree with the JSCA’s position with respect to the Marginal Wharf?”
Your feedback, via a quick email reply with rationale either way, is most appreciated and will help us better serve your needs. Ideas we receive will be included in a:
Special JSCA Planning Committee Meeting – Tuesday, March 27 @ 1900H
We invite all of our members to attend this “Marginal” brainstorming session.

Volunteer for the JSCA in March and you could Win a Mustang Inflatable PFD
JSCA members who participate in a JSCA volunteer work party in March will have their name entered in a draw to win a deluxe Mustang Survival Inflatable PFD (Retail value: $300). Each day you volunteer you will be registered and entered into the draw and we’ll draw the winning member’s name on April 1 (no fooling!). Thanks to all the members who came out this past weekend and are entered in the draw.

Upcoming Volunteer Workparties-Start times @ 1000H
March 17 & 18 Spring Clean-up/Painting Projects
March 24 & 25 Rack Building/Boat Moving/Albatross Painting
March 31, April 1 Boat Moving
April 7 & 8 Unpaid Craft Marking and Relocation
April 14 & 15 1st Annual JSCA Boat Wash

JSCA 2007 Membership Fees Due April 1
Please make sure that your 2007 JSCA Membership and Storage fees are paid on time. If you pay after April 1 you’ll be paying a $30 late penalty and could lose your spot. The late penalty will be increased to $60 on May 1 and $90 on June 1.

Want to Become a Professional Sailing Instructor?
BC Sailing will be conducting Canadian Yachting Association Learn To Sail Instructor Clinics at the Jericho Sailing Centre during Spring Break in March. LTS Technical Level 1 will be conducted March 18-20 with Level 2 going March 22-24. Each course will set you back $255 but it’s a great way to earn a living. To register or for further information contact Nancy Chow at (604) 737-3126 or via email at crew@bcsailing.bc.ca . MacSailing and the Disabled Sailing Association of BC are currently looking for CYA Certified instructors to work at the Jericho Sailing Centre this summer.

CYA Race Management Course
The Prince of Principle Race Officer’s, John Culter, will conduct a Level I and Level II Certified CYA Race Management Clinic at the Jericho Sailing Centre.
Level I is a 3 hour program on April 10 at 1900H and requires no previous experience. The $10 cost includes a race booklet.
Level II is a 9 hour programspread over 3 evenings; April 12, 17 and 19. The Level II program costs $55.
To register or for further information contact Nancy Chow at (604) 737-3126 or via email at crew@bcsailing.bc.ca.

Upcoming Events at the Jericho Sailing Centre
CYA LTS Instructor Clinic Level 1 March 18-20
CYA LTS Instructor Clinic Level 2 March 22-24
Reflexion Run March 18
Galley Open Full Time April 1
CYA Level I Race Management April 10
CYA Level II Race Management April 12, 17 & 19
Penguin Cup Racing April 15
Flights of Spring Regatta April 21 & 22
Earth Day Weekend April 21 & 22
Jericho Rescue Team Training Course April 28 & 29

Sewer Project
A new sewer line will be installed at the Jericho Sailing Centre between the south side of the SW corner of the building through to just outside the south side of the SW corner of the fence the week of March 26-29. Member use of the Jericho Sailing Centre won’t be compromised in anyway during this period.

Fair winds,
Mike

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