Explore our beginnings.
Not just a marina, more than a social club, and beyond a beautiful lakeview. The historic Kelowna Yacht Club is a hub for activity with a strong connection to the community. As a non-profit organization, we have been supporting responsible enjoyment of Okanagan Lake since 1945.
1945
A group of boating enthusiasts met to discuss ways to form a club and promote boating in Kelowna. At this time there were no docks or launch ramps on Okanagan Lake. The first boat launch was built, located where the current moorage basin is.
1946
The Kelowna Yacht Club was incorporated and granted a charter under the province of British Columbia. There were just over 60 Club members at this time.
1951
Our first clubhouse at 1414 Water Street, which had been the original CKOV radio station, was moved onsite and purchased for $150. The Club continued to grow and docks were built to accommodate for the demand for moorage.
1958
Kelowna’s iconic floating bridge opened and the City began to expand rapidly. Interest in the Kelowna Yacht Club grew as more residents joined the Club.
1965
Official opening of the renovated Kelowna Yacht Club clubhouse to accomodate a larger number of members. It served the Club well through many decades, expansions and renovations. Approximately 300 boats were able to be moored in the basin at this point.
1973
Throughout the 1970’s, the Club continued to grow and the moorage basin grew with it. The breakwater was in need of major repairs and an expansion. A plan was in place for implementing a four-year reconfiguration and expansion of the moorage basin. The goal was to have upwards of 500 available slips.
1982
Reaching almost 600 members at this time, the Club also began to add electricity and a water system on the docks.
1989
Another clubhouse expansion was needed and was complete, along with the development of the new breakwater.
2000
The Club had grown to over 550 moorage slips and almost 800 members. Introduction of the Sailing Youth & Education Programs began and received great participation from the community.
2009
The Club identified the need for a new clubhouse and planned a multi-phase moorage expansion. This helped to increase memberships, which funded construction of the new clubhouse.
2011
The second phase of the moorage expansion was now complete, allowing for 900 moorage slips. Kelowna Yacht Club purchased the site of our current clubhouse from the City of Kelowna.
2013
The striking new clubhouse design began construction. The moorage basin finished the final leg of development, making the Kelowna Yacht Club’s basin the largest fresh-water basin in Canada with 1,006 slips.
2014
A New flag mast was installed on the waterfront promenade. Months later, the amazing new clubhouse was constructed by Sawchuk Developments, creating an architectural landmark in the heart of downtown Kelowna. This was opened to members and the public alike.
2015
The spectacular wood spiral staircase, built by Meiklejohn Architects Ltd. in the centre of the clubhouse, was finished early in the year. Along with Meiklejohn Architects, our building partners 40 Woodworks and Sawchuk Developments received top industry awards for their work. The Kelowna Yacht Club also received multiple awards from Southern Interior Construction Association Commercial Building Awards.
2016
The Kelowna Yacht Club was awarded Club of the Year in the Medium Club Category by the Canadian Society of Club Managers.
2017
The Club was recognized for its outstanding contributions to sporting events within our community by Tourism Kelowna and won the Sport Hosting award.
2020
Celebrating 75 years on the water!
What guides us today.
A lot has changed since 1945, but our core values remain the same. At the Kelowna Yacht Club, we are all about embracing the Lake Lifestyle.
Vision & Mission
- To provide exceptional experiences for an engaged membership, their guests and our community through a full spectrum of programming.
- To promote and encourage the development of safe and enjoyable boating.
- To foster a culture of equality, diversity & inclusion so that every member can enjoy “their KYC”.
- To respect the yacht club traditions while evolving as appropriate.
- To maintain focus on long term financial and environmental sustainability.
Core Values
- Member Experience · Driving Member Value
- Member Engagement
- Effective Communication
- Long Term amenities & Facility Planning
- Sustainability · Ensuring Growth & Success
- Financial & Overall Stability
- Effective Governance
- Culture of Risk Management
- Community · Supporting our Community
- Community Engagement
- Club Ambassadorship
- Brand Recognition
- Collaboration & Partnerships
- Stewardship · Having a Positive Impact
- Boating Safety & Awareness
- Environmental Sustainability
- Equality, Diversity & Inclusion
- Education
Anchored in our community.
As part of our commitment to helping people learn and grow, we actively contribute to our community. Some of our community initiatives include a fishing derby for the visually impaired, a pirate-themed children’s charity event, and moorage for the Adaptive Sailing Association and the city’s fire and rescue boats.
Membership in the Kelowna Yacht Club is open to the public, and costs are kept to a minimum. While some club activities are restricted to members only, non-members are gladly welcomed to many of our courses, events and other activities.
