In 1991 the Metro Toronto Conservation Authority fielded a request for parties interested in developing the newly formed boating basin. A group of boating enthusiasts pooled their efforts and The Lakeshore Yacht Club was formed. It was decided that the club would be built on the "Self Help" principal in order to keep membership costs and capital expenses to a minimum.

A Thumbnail History of LSYC
In the early 1980’s the Metro Toronto Conservation Authority began reclaiming shoreline south of the old Lakeshore Psychiatric Hospital that had been closed in 1977. The expressed purpose was to develop park and wetlands for the enjoyment of the citizens of Etobicoke. Part of this development involved creating a harbour and basin for use by the boating community. The MTRCA sought suggestions from community groups to determine the best use for the basin and a group of boating enthusiasts under the leadership of Keith Woolford put forth a plan for a self-help yacht club. This plan was accepted and the Lakeshore Yacht Club was formed.

The next several years were spent designing docks and developing the site. The docks were built by the members in a vacant “Toys are Us” warehouse that subsequently became known as “Docks are Us”. The new docks were installed in 1991. The first building constructed by the members was a workshop that subsequently replaced “Docks are Us” and all of “B” spline was constructed in that workshop.

An old construction trailer was refitted and became the club’s first clubhouse and served nobly until the construction of the clubhouse commenced in 1998. Over the next four years the members laboured to finish the clubhouse and the grounds using in-house skills wherever possible. At the same time the City of Toronto finished the public walkway that fronts the club. This walkway is unique in that the public are not excluded from the waterfront by the club and LSYC has always supported this unique feature as we believe it makes us a part of the greater community.

The twin pillars that support our club are the commitment to the self-help principal and the fact that the charter forbids the club to ever take on any debt. As a result we take great pride in now being a proud member of the Toronto boating community, a self-help, debt free organization with first class facilities, a growing racing fleet, a commitment to the environment and the citizens of Etobicoke.

By John Witter