The Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club, in conjunction with the Boothbay Harbor One Design Association, is pleased to announce the construction this fall of a new Sailing and Education Center on its property in West Boothbay. Building on the Club’s strong junior programs, the new facility will house the Junior Sailing and Tennis programs already open to member families as well as youths of the Boothbay Harbor region under a $12,000 scholarship program.

With both classroom and meeting rooms, the traditional colonial design structure will be available for use in all weather conditions further expanding the length of season of junior sailing programs and open directly to the Club’s already extensive waterfront facility. Included in the design are office spaces for management of the Club’s programs and storage areas for the 64-boat sailing fleet used in the program.

Next year, BHYC will host several major sailing events, including the 2018 Junior Olympics Sailing Festival, which serves as the Area A Qualifier for the U.S. Sailing National Junior Championships; and the Maine State Optimist Championships, won this year by BHYC junior sailor Hamilton Barclay. The Club will also host its 44th annual Regatta in July and the 2018 East Coast J-80 Class championship in August.

Scheduled to open in June 2018, the building, financed with significant fundraising by supporters of sailing and water skills on the Boothbay peninsula, will enhance but not replace the current clubhouse.

“This is a great time for youth sailing in the Midcoast region, thanks to the generous support of the Boothbay One Design Association and Boothbay Harbor Yacht Club members,” Past Commodore Bob Scribner said. “It is our intent to develop the premier Junior Program in northern New England, taking advantage of the region’s rich maritime history and economy.”