The yacht club also announced a new partnership with Mote Marine Laboratory.
By
Katie Johns
| 8:14 p.m. October 22, 2016
Longboat Key
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It was two years in the making, but Bird Key Yacht Club’s new marina is now complete.
The club unveiled the multimillion-dollar expansion Oct. 22 at the MarinaFest celebration. About 260 people attended the event that included bagpipers and a Champagne christening of the new docks.
The new marina wasn’t the only thing to celebrate, though. Event chairman Bill Jacobs said the club will bring back the Sarasota Bay Cup Regatta in April. This year, the regatta will support a charitable organization: Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.
Michael Crosby, president and CEO of Mote, said Mote will participate in the race on a 1982 72-foot Catalina sailboat.
Crosby described the significance of the partnership, noting that many of Mote’s restoration efforts occur on Sarasota Bay, which Bird Key overlooks.
The new marina boasts 780 linear feet of new seawall, 48 boat slips, 18 boat lifts, a double kayak lift and other amenities such as Wi-Fi and security systems. Duncan Seawall Dock and Boatlift was the primary contractor.
Brian McCarthy, project manager for the new marina, said the original marina was built 54 years ago at the same time as the club and had reached the end of its life.
“It’s a great milestone for the club,” McCarthy said.
Bird Key Yacht Club’s motto is "anchored in friendship," and club membership is open to all. Members do not need to live in Bird Key or own a boat.
Martha Schantz, Chairwoman of Marina Committee, and Chair of MarinaFest Bill Jacobs
Social chairwoman Marshall and Jose Fernandez
Vice Commodore Charlie Wilson, Marina Committee Chairwoman Martha Schantz and marina project manager Brian McCarthy
Michael Crosby, President and CEO of Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, Sue Forrest and Mike Collins
The Riverview Kiltie bagpipers performed at Bird Key Yacht Club’s MarinaFest on Oct. 22.
John Lockwood, Commodore Lynn Smith and Pamela Lockwood
Bird Key Yacht Club’s new marina boasts 48 boat slips and 18 boat lifts.
Jane and Fred Leonberger
Bird Key Yacht Club celebrated its new marina on Oct. 22 with a MarinaFest for its members.
Christina Navatta and Doug Mueller
Alice Sample, Annette Lloyd, Sue Wilson, Lou Moore and Karin Jones
Commodore Lynn Smith greets the crowd at Bird Key Yacht Club’s MarinaFest on Oct. 22.
Rear Commodore Bob Williams and Vice Commodore lower the flag.
Rear Commodore Bob Williams folds the flag during Bird Key Yacht Club’s MarinaFest.
Rear Commodore Bob Williams and Vice Commodore fold the flag during Bird Key Yacht Club’s MarinaFest.
Tami Walsh speaks during Bird Key Yacht Club’s MarinaFest on Oct. 22.
Tami Walsh pops open a bottle of champagne to christen the new docks at Bird Key Yacht Club’s MarinaFest on Oct. 22.
Bird Key Yacht Club’s new marina boasts 48 boat slips and 18 boat lifts.
President and CEO of Mote Michael Crosby speaks with the crowd at MarinaFest. The yacht club is bringing back the Sarasota Bay Cup and for the first time ever, the regatta will support a charitable organization. In 2017, that organization will be Mote.
Andrew Vac and Ramona Glanz
Mike Baker and Bill Steele
Shirley Palmer and Doc Werlin
Jenny Duffey, Lou Moore, Susan Wilson and Lee Duffey
