Dear members,
It’s the time of year that winter gets old and we shift our thoughts to sun-filled days on Lac Brome.
New and returning faces
We are pleased to welcome Joel Kirton as the new BLBC Manager. Joel settled with his wife in the Eastern Townships in 2001. While supervising the Sutton ski and snowboard school for seven seasons, Joel managed a team of adult and adolescent staff who instructed elementary school children from across the region in a variety of competitive and instructional programs. Joel manages the GS Ski Shop near Mont Sutton and coaches students on the Études Sports program at Massey Vanier High School ski and snowboard program. An avid sportsman and nature lover, Joel is looking forward to learning the rhythm of the Club and serving our members.
We are happy to have tennis pros Vincent Tardif and Rémi Leroux, Will McLernon as Head of Daycamp, Timothy Quinn as Head of Waterfront and Swimming, and Abby Shine as Head of Junior CITs and CITs and Communication, among other returning staff.
Annie Bergevin and Amanda Dawson join the BLBC Board of Directors to help develop the tennis program with Heidi Lange. Andrea Krieble joins the Staff Committee and Daycamp Committee. Gilles Lamarche steps down from the Board to enjoy his retirement. Gilles played a key role in redeveloping the BLBC facilities this decade, and we thank him for his years of service on the Board.
Program news
After a record 2018 year for our race team (see Tempo Lac Brome article), the sailing program will be back again with a suitable program for all ages starting as young as 5 years old. Learning to sail opens the door to a lifetime of fun and adventure! Sign up early as we have limited space in our July and August weeks.
The tennis program adds a competitive Challenge Ladder and a One-up One-down Round Robin, a Shot of the Week Clinic, a Men’s Clinic, a Newbie Clinic, and Happy Hour Tennis to the usual tennis activities. See the Tennis web page for details and to sign up for the new tennis email list. We’ll also be collecting contact info for those who want to be informed via the Members Directory about tennis matches, lessons and clinics.
The Knowlton Golf Club will repeat its offer to provide access to their dining room for BLBC members on selected nights this summer, and to offer golf instruction to our junior members. Details to follow.
The BLBC intends to partner with Aviron Knowlton Rowing (AKR) this summer on a trial basis to introduce rowing to our members in exchange for lake access from our waterfront. AKR has built an impressive competitive program and a vibrant recreational program in a few short years. Our Lac Brome just happens to be one of the best lakes in all of Quebec for rowing! Rowing fits with the BLBC mandate to encourage non-motorized enjoyment of Lac Brome and the waterfront. It’s a complement to sailing since rowing requires calm waters in the early morning or evening and its busy season is the spring and fall. AKR offers a Learn to Row course to introduce the basics, private and group lessons, a racing league, and equipment rentals for rowing on your own schedule. We will be continuing discussions with AKR and hope to have a confirmed plan in place before the ice melts on Lac Brome.
Camp and CIT Registration
Members are encouraged to register for camps as early as possible, starting March 5 for existing members and March 15 for new members, before guest registration begins May 1. Every effort will be made to accommodate demand, but we must respect the staff/camper ratio and the capacity on the courts and on the boats to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all.
The CIT (counsellor in Training) program and the Junior CIT program proved popular again. Last summer, 19 young members volunteered over one thousand hours to help supervise campers and gain valuable job training and experience. Junior CITs aged 13 and 14 can register on the Camp Registration form. CITs aged 15 and 16 must apply using the CIT Registration form.
In an effort to spread participation through the summer, camp registration fees will be peaked by $10/week mid-season and reduced $10/week in the shoulders. Guests will be allowed to register for up two weeks in the sailing program to obtain their CANSail certification, only during weeks 1 and 2 or weeks 7 and 8.
Membership, facilities, finances, and fees
Club revenues remained healthy, helped by strong membership fees and entrance dues while revenues from programs were stable. Record new membership was offset by significant turnover last summer. We accepted all new members from the waiting list. Growth in expenses was contained, leading to a positive net profit and cash flow position. A string of consecutive profitable years have repaired the Club’s finances from the precipitous position earlier this decade.
After years of spending to ensure our buildings are structurally sound, our focus will shift to recreational facilities and equipment. Our sailing program requires sailboats and crash boats. The tennis courts perimeter must be redone to stop the penetration of vegetation that could permanently damage the clay surface. We will replace aging equipment to complement donations of kiddy punts from Andrea and Robert Krieble and a tandem kayak from new members Samantha Welscheid and Stephan Chapheau.
Like last year, we will raise most fees by roughly 3% to keep pace with rising minimum wage, hefty increases to property taxes, and regular inflation. The capital contribution remains frozen at $50/adult member. Tennis fees remain frozen to stay competitive with local rates.
Stay tuned
An updated Member Handbook and Member Directory will be made available in print to all members. You will receive a message to opt-in to the Directory and confirm your contact information. We will keep you posted with developments on programs and services as we prepare for the summer.
If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to get in touch with me or the other members of the Board of Directors listed below. For administrative assistance concerning your membership file, such as change of address or membership, billing or credit card information update; please communicate with Louise Maheux at louisemaheux1957@gmail.com.
Looking forward to sharing another great summer with all of you at the Brome Lake Boating Club!
Sincerely,
Shane Velan on behalf of the BLBC Board of Directors
info@clublacbrome.com
Members of the Board of Directors
Kim Alepin, Co-head of Sailing and Communications Committees
Annie Bergevin, Tennis Committee
Sara Bradeen, Head of Social and Green Committees
Thane Calder, Co-head of Sailing Committee
Amanda Dawson, Tennis Committee
Heidi Lange, Head of Tennis and Membership Committees
Emily Ritchie, Head of Day Camp, CIT Program, Swimming, and Staff Committees
Brigitte Roy, Secretary
Stephen Sager, Treasurer and Head of Facilities and Maintenance Committee
Shane Velan, President and Head of Finance and Infrastructure Committee
Donna Zamiska, Co-head of Communications Committee, Head of Community Engagement Committee
See archived letters