Happy Anniversary: Project Makes South Milwaukee Yacht Club a “Harbor of Refuge”

The South Milwaukee Yacht Club is getting a major lift — literally and figuratively — for its 60th anniversary.

The Common Council on Tuesday gave the g0-ahead to the organization to construct a travel lift well for the launch and haul-out of vessels, pursuant to the terms of the lease agreement with the city.

The more than $120,000 project will be a major boost for the club, which currently contracts out to a crane operator to put in and take out boats each season. According to a note from Commodore Tom Schulz: “Having the ability to perform this task in-house would greatly enhance the marketability of our organization and help maintain a sustainable operation for another 60 years.”

The lift well will truly set the club apart from from others in the area and make South Milwaukee a “harbor of refuge” between the South Shore and Racine, Tom said. It will also provide another revenue source for the club — $12,500 per year, in addition to eliminating the $9,500 cost paid to outside contractors to perform the lifting service — and lengthen the boating season for members.

“This brings us to a whole other level,” Tom told the Public Works and Public Property Committee.

The reason the Yacht Club needs city approval is that it leases the property from the city, with a series of five-year termination clauses. The next comes around in 2013. Learn more about the SMYC, and access its newsletter, at its website.