Remember when I recently advised the engagement of 2 of our members, so that there will be a 3rd members’ wedding next fall? Well, we have to add another from past history of which I was unaware. I heard from one of our long-time sailing members recently, Mark Link, that unbeknownst to me, although I must have met them, that he and his wife Patti met at “Learning at the Helm” about 20 years ago and have been happily married ever since! As a matter of fact, Mark says his wife Patti has a trophy in our showcase when she won, I think he said, a “Touch of Class” regatta. I haven’t been able to get into the club house to check it out yet but love the story. Thank you, Mark, for sharing this!
So, let’s get down to brass tacks about our club’s operation during this COVID-19 pandemic. As most of you know, Hamilton Creek Marina is owned by Metro and operated by Metro Parks. When Mayor Cooper issued the “Safer at Home” order, in compliance with that order Metro Parks closed the Marina (this included the clubhouse and bathrooms, but not access to the docks). As a result, PPYC is not able to host or provide any activities using the Hamilton Creek Marina facilities until authorized to do so by Metro Parks.
The Mayor has announced that the City will start Phase 1 of reopening on Monday, May 11. Metro Parks has advised that Hamilton Creek Marina will remain closed during Phase 1 with no public access to the clubhouse, however Park employees will be working during Phase 1. Bathrooms will remain closed. According to the Metro website, Phase 2 will begin: “If there is positive improvement/stability of metrics for 14 days”. However, we will remain in Phase 1 if there is a significant decrease in the metrics. Phases 3 and 4 will follow. We do not know the timing of these phases or to what extent, if any, PPYC will be able to use Hamilton Creek Marina facilities in Phase 2 or any later phase.
What we do know is that once we are able to use these facilities for PPYC events, we will initially be subject to various restrictions, such as wearing masks, limited numbers, social distancing, etc., that may make it impractical for PPYC to host any educational events, social events, or regattas in the near future, even if permitted to do so.
Metro Parks is not the only agency that affects PPYC operations. Each year PPYC receives a permit from the US Corps of Engineers to host specific events on the lake, such as regattas. In March, the Corps rescinded PPYC’s permit until May 15. This means that until the Corps reinstates our permit, PPYC will not be able to host any regattas, and perhaps other events (depending on the language in the permit, which we are trying to determine).
The bottom line is that as of today we know that we will not be able to have PPYC events at Hamilton Creek for the next two weeks, and probably for some time thereafter. We are on hold for planning and hosting PPYC events until we have authorizations from Metro and the Corps and know their limitations. This also means that use of the Club sailboats is on hold until we receive updated instructions from Metro Parks allowing this program to resume (assuming no issue with the Corps permit).
Sailing on your own boat is permissible and encouraged, provided done so in compliance with Social Distancing recommendations. TWRA has recently published recommendations for social distancing for recreational boating that you should check out before you go sailing. These are available at this link: TWRA Recommendations.
Because of the terrific storm on Sunday (I had heard there were 80 mph winds at the airport and it was referred to as a “derecho” by the Tennessean, not a tornado), many of us lost electricity which precluded the Board meeting via ZOOM this past Monday. The plans already in progress for September and early fall seem to be the only possible “bright spots” in our future right now. However, we are poised to jump on any “re-opening” possibility as soon as we hear that from Metro. In the meantime, please continue to follow the pandemic guidelines and stay safe and well with your families. We will get through this TOGETHER!!
Kathy Ware, Commodore |