About the Club
The Halloween Yacht Club is a group of boating enthusiasts who operate and maintain a
non-profit boating facility in Cummings Park. We number more than 350 members and their
families.
Our activities include promotion of local fishing derbies, family sailing,
sail racing, regattas and cruises. We also conduct educational programs on such subjects
as boating safety, first aid, and seamanship. We have an active social program that
includes clam bakes, parties, receptions, dinners/dances, and holiday celebrations. We
also publish a monthly newsletter.
Membership in our club is open to all. However, our berthing facilities are limited to
residents of Stamford and are assigned on a membership-seniority basis. There is a waiting
list for summer berth space, however winter berth space in our ice-free lagoon is readily
available. Each of the 134 boats permanently berthed at our Club must carry Stamford as
its hailing port and must be registered in Connecticut by a bona fide Stamford resident.
Although we can be described as a "municipal yacht club," our Club operates
at no expense to the City. In fact, our grounds are considered park land and are leased
from the City. We pay rent equivalent to taxes based on 100% of the assessed value,
related to the value of surrounding residential and commercial property.
The HYC Lagoon
In addition to the floating docks, the
Halloween Yacht Club has a fully equipped Clubhouse that is available
for club functions and to meet your fellow club members. It is available for
member's use at nominal cost.
Our Club is a "do it ourselves" group. In 1926 we took over a small building
in disrepair, restored it, and developed the Club as a valuable recreational
asset. In recent years we have made significant improvements to the original
facilities.
For example:
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We installed a system of floating docks with electrical and fresh water
service. |
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We installed a de-icing system to prevent loss of dock piles during winter
freezes. This permits our fleet to berth in the water during the off-season. |
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We moved to the site a garage and tool storage shed. |
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We rebuilt the porch on our Clubhouse, reinforced the footings under the
porch, repaved and enlarged the automobile parking area, shingled and
repainted the entire building several times, retired a septic tank system
and connected to City sewers, updated and expanded electrical and plumbing
service, renovated and redecorated the entire interior, and insulated the
entire building. (Many members, finding the Club an attractive party site,
engage the Club during the off-season for private affairs.) |
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We installed racks for 12 sailboard-type boats on the south end of the
property near a launch area. |
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We installed gas grilles and landscaped a small picnic area on the grounds;
we installed flower boxes on our porch. |
These and dozens of other improvements were financed by the membership at no
expense to the City. The reason we can do this, while keeping our dues and
fees at modest levels, is because we "do it ourselves." Members are expected
to volunteer their time and effort, in areas of their interest and
expertise, to improve, operate, and maintain the Club.
Active members who enjoy the privileges of the Club are expected to
contribute a nominal amount of time for Club service. Of course, most
members volunteer far more than the required minimum time; these
particularly hard-working members are honored each year with special
recognition.
We have only one paid employee, our Steward, who lives in the Clubhouse on
the second floor and functions as a caretaker. All work, duties and
organizational responsibilities, except those of a caretaking nature, are
undertaken by member volunteers during their leisure hours.
