The Calgary Yacht Club is the oldest yacht club in Alberta, incorporated as a non-profit in 1933 by Calgarians who loved to come out to this little ‘oasis’ for some land locked sailing. A clubhouse was commissioned to be built by sailor and boat builder Mr. AB Himmelman, a Calgarian originally from from Lunenburg NS.
Located at 635 East Chestermere Drive, it was originally where the Chestermere Landing is, on East Chestermere Drive, just south of the bridge. It was busy up at the north end, so in 1951 the clubhouse was moved to midway down the lake to the present location. A new flag pole was installed. Not just for a Canadian Red Ensign ( used up to 1965), but for flags to signal messages to the sailors out racing on regatta day. With increased activity, membership and a very old rundown building, a new clubhouse replaced the original building in 2010 but the original flagpole was still functional and survived the nearby construction. The facia of the old clubhouse and some bricks have been saved to use in a historic installation by the CYC or the Chestermere Historical Foundation when resources allow.
In 2014, the old pole developed cracks around the holes for the bolts that held the pole up. It was a significant failure making it unsafe. There was no way to lower the old pole gently, so it fell rather heavily and was severely bent. A replacement was a better option than repair. It took teamwork to get this project going and one can now see a new ‘gaff rigged’ flag pole on the foundation of the old one. The point where the original pole failed is strengthened on the new design, and the support has reinforcing at the support pin locations–and a way to lower it safely. The people who contributed to building the flagpole: Phil Paxton – got pipe donated for the middle, upper, and yard sections; David Martin – design, fabrication, and generally worked on every part of the process; Malcolm Cox – reviewed the structural design; Ron Marshall – a member from the 70’s, he helped us with machining holes in the base section at the Tetra Workshop; Peter Van Es – welded, made fittings and a bracket to help raise the pole, helped raise the flagpole; Brian Graham – responsible for House and Grounds; helped coordinate materials acquisition, and construction; Brian and Lynn Ellis for brushing the steel, priming and painting with help from Lily. And for everyone who turned out to haul away and raise the new pole on Thursday May 12th 2016. If the old one lasted 50 years, this one should go many times that.
The CYC is right here in your community, and there are many, many water activities to experience. Check out sailing courses for young and old, novice or experienced, rentals of kayaks, paddleboards and sailboats at www.cyc.ab.ca
