Westlake Yacht Club wants to expand
1,185 square feet would be added
By Sophia Fischer sfischer@theacorn.com

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers GROWING PAINS?- The Westlake Yacht Club sits quietly along the shores of Westlake Lake. Owners want to make the more than 30-year-old facility bigger by 1,185 square feet.

Expansion plans are being considered for the Westlake Yacht Club to allow maximum enjoyment of the picturesque lakeside setting.

Club board members are reviewing construction bids for enlargement of the outdoor deck and the interior of the building between the yacht club and the adjacent Boccaccio's restaurant.

In addition, the back wall of the club building, which is currently all windows, would be revamped. The lower windows would be removed and replaced with bifold doors that could be opened.

"When the weather is beautiful we could open the doors and have this very large space with a unique setting to enjoy," club Commodore Robert Piccioni said.

Located in the Landing Center on Lindero Canyon Road, the existing building covers about 3,000 square feet. The project would add 1,000 square feet inside and 185 square feet to the outside deck. A wheelchair lift would be added at the building entrance in order to accommodate the disabled.

The board has several challenges to overcome. Construction cost estimates came in higher than expected, Piccioni said, so the board is reviewing proposals to determine where to make cost reductions. How to pay for the project is another concern that the board is discussing; holding fundraisers is one possible avenue.

"A lot of people have the impression when they hear 'yacht club' that we all have 90-foot yachts. Most of our members have been here 40 years and have 20-foot sailboats. There's not a vast source of funds," Piccioni said.

Formed in 1969, the Westlake Lake club offers a variety of social and boating services to the community, including public rental of its facility for weddings, bar mitzvahs and holiday parties. The club hosts year-round weekly events for members. A summer sailing camp is open to children ages 8 to 17. The membership comprises 214 families, along with about 135 junior members under age 19. The club offers 36 boats for use by members.

"We have a nice social situation, with activities for kids and parties for parents," Piccioni said. "It's a nice place, and everyone is very friendly."

Project plans were to have been reviewed May 9 by the Westlake City Council, but the action was postponed to allow club board members to review the bids.

"They had originally come to us with a much more ambitious plan, but it's been scaled back," Westlake senior planner Scott Wolfe said.