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The AYC on December 16. Photo courtesy of the Annapolis YC.[/caption]
FAQs regarding continuity and ongoing operations of the Annapolis Yacht Club in the aftermath of the fire at the AYC Main Clubhouse on 12 December 2015.
From: Board of Governors, Annapolis Yacht Club
On the afternoon of Saturday, December 12, a fire broke out at the Main Clubhouse of the Annapolis Yacht Club. The fire was contained in the early evening. Immediately after the fire was extinguished, club leadership and professional staff began taking actions to ensure the safety, security, and well-being of club staff and the continuity of the club’s operations.
Club leadership has been in communication with officials from the State of Maryland, Anne Arundel County, the City of Annapolis, and many other area organizations and businesses, all of whom have offered enthusiastic and much-appreciated offers of assistance.
The leadership of the Annapolis Yacht Club is committed to an open flow of communications with its members, staff, and interested members of the public. In this spirit, the club’s Board of Governors shares the following information.
Expect regular updates as new information becomes available.
What is the state of the building?
Structural assessment of the state of the Main Clubhouse is underway. The results of the inspection are not yet available. As soon as information becomes available it will be shared. The Main Clubhouse is secure and around-the-clock security is in place.
What started the fire?
The club cannot speculate on the fire’s origins. The cause of the fire is under investigation by authorities who are conducting their work as of this writing. As information becomes publicly available it will be shared.
How long will it take to build / rebuild the Main Clubhouse?
As we do not yet know the condition of the existing building, this is unclear. The club’s leadership and membership will be required to make decisions on this topic based on information gathered in the assessment currently underway of the state of the existing Main Clubhouse.
With the Main Clubhouse out of service, are there plans for an alternative location?
After the fire was extinguished on Saturday evening, club leadership and professional staff began discussing establishment of an interim clubhouse location. Planning for an interim clubhouse location is well underway with goals of providing both a meeting place for club members and ongoing employment for club staffers.
What will happen to the club’s staff?
The well-being of the AYC staff is of paramount importance. The leadership of AYC is fully committed to the Club's staff and has put into motion plans to support every staff member. AYC leadership is working closely with each individual member of the staff to make arrangements during this unique situation.
Monetary support of staffers in the aftermath of the fire has been arranged. In addition, plans are underway to establish an interim clubhouse location. The development of and operation of this interim clubhouse location will include roles for many current AYC staff.
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AYC staff the afternoon of December 14, gathering fully for the first time since the fire.[/caption]
The Annapolis business community has responded to the situation with many generous, kind, and timely offers to provide employment for AYC staffers. AYC professional leadership is in communications with representatives from local restaurants and businesses and will work closely with all parties in the effort to make certain every AYC staffer is properly supported as necessary.
What happened to the artifacts, trophies, and art in the clubhouse?
Assessment of the contents of the Main Clubhouse is underway. Every effort is being made to preserve this physical history of the club, sailing, and boating on the Chesapeake Bay and beyond. A group of dedicated and experienced members is already working on this project and will report soon on the status of the collection. Several outside experts have contacted the club to offer assistance in this effort, including professionals from museums and experts from other yacht clubs. Their services will be valuable in the assessment and preservation of the club’s artifacts, trophies, and art.
What can we expect the next year to be like for club members?
The AYC phones and computer system are up and running and operations are being based out of the club’s Eastport properties. AYC Committee chairs have been directed to continue operations. AYC leadership is committed to continuing the programming, events, and activities of its vibrant club community. The Annapolis Yacht Club’s Eastport properties were not impacted by the fire, so expect a lot of activity to take place across the creek.
What does this mean for the club’s Long Range Plan on the Eastport side of the creek?
AYC has been actively building a Long Range Plan for development on its Eastport properties across the creek from the Main Clubhouse. AYC remains committed to this project as currently scheduled. Any unanticipated impact on the Eastport projects consequent to the fire will be reported as soon as known.
How can club members help?
There will be many opportunities for AYC members to support the rebuilding effort and ongoing club activities in the coming days, weeks, and months. Many unique skill sets and plenty of energy will be required as the Club continues operations while rebuilding at the same time. Please monitor club communications for opportunities to serve the club. We will need you.
In the meantime, we ask that club members exercise restraint when publicly speculating on the fire and the future of the club, especially while plans are still in development and many important facts are yet to be found.
How can members of the public help?
This is a unique and challenging time for the Annapolis Yacht Club community. The leadership, membership, and staff of the Annapolis Yacht Club are humbled by and appreciative of the outpouring of support that has poured in from around the world.
Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and support.
In the wake of the fire, several independent efforts to raise funds to support the staff of the Annapolis Yacht Club were established. The AYC Board applauds the spirit and intent of these independent fundraising efforts. Please understand that the leadership of the Annapolis Yacht Club is fully committed to the club's staff and has put into motion plans to support every staff member.
