Groundwork is being laid to give the 63-year-old LaHave River Yacht Club a 21st-century makeover.

 "I'd say within five to seven years, that whole area down there will have a facelift," said public relations chairman Todd Wilkie.

 The first step is adding a new set of floats, perhaps room enough for another 10 to 12 docks, by next year.

 "We're also renovating and clearing the yard so we can store about 50 more boats."

 Nearly 100 were housed there last winter.

 "And we have a committee right now that's looking at a brand new clubhouse," said Mr. Wilkie. "But we need members to make this happen."

 According to its website, the club was founded with 50 members in 1947 and expanded to include over 125 members by the time of its 50th anniversary, but Mr. Wilkie said there has been a sudden spike in those numbers during recent years.

 "I don't know exactly what the numbers are, but it's dramatic. We're probably getting at least 10 to 20 new members a year."

 As of last month, there were over 175 members, including a handful of outport members, who own boats but don't keep them on site.

 He said the LaHave River has turned into a major boating destination in Atlantic Canada.

 "I wouldn't be surprised if we had the most boats per capita in Nova Scotia. It's just exploded over the last five years."

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 He attributes much of that to the popularity of powerboats, which perhaps make up the majority of boats on the river now.

 "That's a drastic change. It had been sailboats until about 20 years ago, or maybe even up to 10 years ago there were more sailboats on the river."

 Mr. Wilkie said he wants to make it clear the club does welcome powerboaters, which currently make up only about 20 per cent of the club's stored boats.

 "We're just hoping the public will embrace the new membership and more people will get involved in boating - We want the club to grow and we want the river to prosper."

 For more information, check on-line at http://www.lryc.ca.

posted on 06/01/10