The new UYC deck is only steps from the lake.
The University Yacht Club is celebrating a project a long time coming – the opening of its modernized and fully renovated clubhouse. What began in 2017 with a long-range vision of that year’s Board of Governors and then-Membership Committee Chair Reg Davis is a dream realized.
“A long-time need for an upgraded clubhouse was already part of the club’s plans, but the winter of 2022-’23 accelerated the plan when the great freeze resulted in flooding the interior of the clubhouse because of frozen pipes,” said current Commodore Butch Miller. “It was just the tip of the iceberg – pun intended – as we made the repairs and discovered necessary work on the building’s structure to ensure it will be here for future generations.”
Spanning the leadership of three commodores – BB Benninghoff, Steve Simpson and Butch Miller – and two years of planning, design and fund-raising, construction began on the exterior of the project this past spring.
“The club received voluntary contributions from members for the project,” said Chris Clark, facilities chair of the club. “In fact, members were so committed that we significantly exceeded our fund-raising goal.”
Several club members have been directly involved in the design and construction. Sam Boyd served as the project architect. He designs high-end custom homes in Southeast primarily in the Atlanta and Charleston markets; prior to forming his residential practice, he did commercial architecture. Jack Wolfe served as general contractor. Chris Clark drew from his extensive commercial real estate experience as project manager.
Members gathered last April to recognize the official ground-breaking, more of an official start to construction. Since then construction proceeded as quickly as the weather would allow.
A fresh new gray shake-and-shutters exterior captures a nautical coastal theme that was extended to two adjacent buildings to create a unified campus appearance – the Carswell Pavilion and the Beach House and Deck. It will set the standards for future building renovations on the campus.
Granite stone accents were added to connect the clubhouse to historical elements on the campus, including the granite stone entry gates and the granite stone wall on the events lawn – the last remnants from the original clubhouse from the 1950s that burned in the ’70s. Other historical club artifacts were preserved: the anchor hanging from the entrance port cohere from the original 1950s clubhouse and the club’s original opening day ceremony bell on a post to the left of the clubhouse.
“The design allowed us to make use of the previously unutilized north cove deck and to add two accessible restrooms to the clubhouse,” Clark said. “It also allowed us to renovate our full commercial kitchen.”
Additional upgrades have improved accessibility to the old grandfathered in building with new ramps and sidewalks.
An early September sunset reception on the new North Cove Deck was held to celebrate the completion of the project.
“The August completion of construction in a bit under five months has allowed our members to enjoy the improvements throughout the process,” said Miller. “Meals were served, special events continued and club traditions were carried on.
“With the completion, we have a total of six distinct venues to host a variety of member events from weekly Friday bridge games to first Friday cocktail hour, Saturday morning Bible study third Friday meet-and-greets for new and prospective members,” Miller said. “University Yacht Club continues to offer a wide range of activities and entrainment options for members and guests.
“Now that our club’s vision has been realized, we’ve prepared the way for future generations of boaters to enjoy University Yacht Club and Lake Lanier.”
About University Yacht Club
University Yacht Club (UYC) is a private, members-only yacht club and marina located on Lake Lanier in Flowery Branch. Becoming a member connects you to people who enjoy boating, socializing and making friends in a family-friendly atmosphere. For more information: universityyachtclub.org or 770 967-2814.
Photos: by Pamela A. Keene
