Usually by this time the Harry McDonough Sailing Center is up and running and one of the finest learn to sail programs in the nation is making a lot of local kids happy, while teaching them that valuable skill. So, in answer to inquiries as to why, as of this writing, the program has not opened, SBT did a bit of inquiring on our own and learned that it is a safety issue, which is in the process of being solved as fast as it can be.
There was damage to the dock. The good news is that it has now been repaired to at least get it through this season. The other major issue is the lack of a safety boat. Anyone who has had the pleasure of being part of the program knows that a safety boat is a must and the excellent staff and managers, who operate the program make safety their number one priority. They would never jeopardize the safety of the young sailors. The funds for the safety boat will hopefully be in by this week and that it will be in place by July 30th.
Sailing Center officials have told SBT that because a FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request has been filed, there is a possibility that agency funding for staff could be further held up. Funding usually arrives by the first week in July. As of this writing it has not, possibly because of the FOIA request according to Sailing Center sources.
As it stands now, the scheduled opening date is July 30th and returning sailors can sign up from July 23rd through the 27th. If there are any changes to this target date, it will be announced on South Boston’s social media sites, including the SBT Facebook pages and to our Twitter followers and the sign at the entrance to the sailing center, pictured here, will be updated as well. Here’s hoping that everything falls into place as soon as possible and this wonderful program will be up and running with no additional delays.
