From the Commodore’s Bridge

Welcome to a season of both celebration and thanks! We’re celebrating the completion of an extraordinary new clubhouse while, at the same time, extending heartfelt thanks to the many Club members whose endless hours of dedicated effort made it all happen. The support of Club members during this challenging project is greatly appreciated.

This issue of Waypoints contains the schedules for the 2019-2020 season. You will find the complete cruise schedule, the dates and details for both the Speaker Dinner Series and the Ladies Book Club, and this year’s entertainment events. We have a very exciting year planned, so mark your calendar now so that you don’t miss anything.

The 2020 season will be a season of change. With the completion of our clubhouse construction, we will all be adjusting to new spaces and new locations. We will have two entrances, North and South. With both parking lots available, the parking issues of last season should be resolved. The South entrance will provide access to the Boaters’ Grille and Yardarm, while the North entrance will be used for events. As you pass through the North entrance doors, please note the painting on the left side. The painting depicts the original Naples Yacht Club clubhouse and it was donated to the Club by Mary and Steve Smith. Our staff will no longer be located under the stairwell or in the crowded accounting office. All staff offices will be at the North side of the clubhouse. The membership, cruise, publication, and general manager’s offices will be on the first floor near the North entrance. Catering, accounting, human resources, and the clubhouse manager will be on the second floor of the North building, accessible by elevator or stairs across from the Main Brace. Please notice the relocated Paul Arsenault mural. In the fall, Monday Men’s Boaters’ Lunch will be back in the remodeled Briggs Room with the Ladies’ Monday Boaters’ Lunch location TBD.

Our new South Lawn is ready for bocce. The grass has been cut shorter and the playing field is level. There will be practice bocce on Tuesday evenings for members who want to improve their skills, and competitive bocce will be held on Friday evenings. Members are encouraged to attend dinner in the Boaters’ Grille after bocce, or if you are not a player, have a cocktail and watch bocce from the terrace outside the Boaters’ Lounge.

This season, we will be able to accommodate our full membership for all events! The Commodores’ Ball will be back at Naples Yacht Club and our members will enjoy the expanded dance floor. The larger Main Brace—with spectacular views of the harbor—will be the pre-event gathering area. The Speaker Dinner Series will be in the Ballroom, and members will be seated at round tables that will be set for dinner. We will gather in the Main Brace before being seated.

A great deal of attention has been focused on acoustical features to provide real benefit to our members. The entire inside of the new facility has acoustical features to minimize the noise level. There is acoustical cloth on the walls, ceilings, and even between the wood slats on the ceiling. The furniture has cloth seats and backs, and much of the building is carpeted.

In January 2020, we will be asking members to participate in another survey. Your Board wants to know if the new addition and the changes meet your expectations. Members and spouses are both encouraged to provide feedback.

This is your Club, so come often and enjoy it!