Port Glasgow had been a shipping port since 1818, but since then, erosion along the lakeshore had taken its toll and destroyed the original habour. After the club's first meeting the Club got to work installing docks in the twin lagoons leading into Sixteen Mile Creek and building a breakwater using stones brought from Clearville. The club started with 12 members, including Jim Beattie who purchas
ed the property from Gordon Havens.. November 1960, the Port Glasgow Yacht Club purchased the Port Glasgow Fishery. Archie Simpson of Muirkirk was contracted to dig the channel and basin, which would accommodate 25 boats. The Official Opening of the harbour took place August 1961 with a ribbon cutting ceremony; presided over by Club President Allan Ross and Aldborough Old Boys President C.E. Allan Ross remained as President for many years, with support of C.E. Gladstone, Arrett Fulmer, Nick Scafe, Art C. A dragline was set up in 1960 to pull gravel from the lake and it was sold to the former Aldborough Township. In 1961, the Rodney Bowling Club house was moved to the lake, by Dave Steele. It was renovated for a refreshment booth and gas pumps by George Langlois. This was operated by Art and Mary Miller for about 16 years. In 1969 “Unc’s” Park and a large portion of the hill went into the lake, leaving no access to the Club. Gordon Gow graciously allowed PYGC to use his property to build a new road to the Club. By the 1980’s, a road of broken concrete was completed along the shoreline, spanning from Yacht Club to Memorial Park. The concrete road was built to reduce erosion along the shoreline. The Food Booth and double boat launch ramps were built in 1990; designed by W. Babin and built by Bruce Kelly and Rick Van Vugt. A new lighthouse was erected on the west pier in 1992 through the efforts of Bruce Swain. In 1995 the Ontario Government sold the 32 acre Beattie Access Provincial Park, which adjoins the PGYC property, to Aldborough Township for $750. The Township and PGYC entered into an Agreement allowing PGYC to expand and manage the Marina at no cost to the Municipality. In 1995 Gord Haven donated a swath of land, adjoining the former Beattie Access Trail, to the Municipality allowing the construction of Haven’s Lake Road. Port Glasgow Yacht Club and Marina now consists of both the PGYC privately owned and the Municipal (the former Beattie Access Provincial Park) owned property. Today, the marina includes 80 serviced docks, 3 launch ramps, 6 picnic shelters, washrooms and shower facilities, wheelchair access, a bridge over Sixteen Mile Creek to the beach, Food Concession, boat gas dock, marine pumpout and Bait facilities. Port Glasgow Yacht Club volunteers many hours to Marina management, organizing & sponsoring Community and Club Social events and inter Club cruises throughout Lake Erie.
“Although it’s called a Yacht Club the Volunteer Members don’t have to own a boat, just enthusiasm for the Community, Marina and
Boating”.
