Island Yacht Club
Encyclopedia
Island Yacht Club is located on 16 acres of park-like setting on Mugg's Island, the western part of the Toronto Islands
, in Toronto
, Ontario
Canada
. The club is accessible by water from April to October using the Club's private tender. IYC has an elected Board of Directors and is managed by a professional staff.
Both a yacht club and a social club for families, Island Yacht Club has many amenities and organizes social activities such as holiday buffets and barbecues, sailing lessons and camps, family and children's activities, and boating events including: cruises, sailpasts and sailboat racing. Dockage is available for both power and sailboats. The club provides professional marine services.
According to an article by Pierre Berton published in MacLean’s Magazine on November 1st,
1948: “Segregation by race at which Canadians are apt to look askance when it is practiced in the
southern United States, is just as strong in the Canadian social world as it is in the economic world. There
are golf clubs which make no bones about the fact that they won’t accept Jewish members, college
fraternities and sororities, which exclude Jewish students. Members of these clubs have argued that in
private, social organizations they should be allowed to choose the people they associate with.”
It was in this social climate that Carl Keyfetz was retained in the spring of 1951 to obtain a Provincial Charter for a Social Club to be located on Mugg’s Island that would be dedicated to the promotion of “yachting, badminton, squash, tennis, bowling, skating, swimming, curling and other games of sport and to arrange matches and competitions of every nature and to offer or grant and contribute towards prizes awards and
distinctions”.
A lease for a parcel of land on Muggs Island – 250 feet deep by 600 feet along the water – was negotiated
with the City. On October 16th, 1951 an organizing meeting was held at the home of Cecil Yolles with Jack
and Estelle Morris, Bill Ackerman, Bob Singer, Dick Lorie, Bert Jacobs, Mel Gould, Eon Gilmore, Norm
Kirzner, Leo Perkel, Dr. S. Leibel, Cecil Yolles, Denny Yolles, Dr. Bernard “Bunny” Willinsky, John Bussin,
Joe Kitz, Barney Alper, Ben Dunkelman, Irving Gould and Mark Speyer in attendance. The first directors were John Bliss, salesman; Irving and Malville Gould, managers and Carl
Keyfetz, solicitor.
Only qualified and proven sailors were to be allowed to fly the IYC burgee. Training was mandatory. A
Disciplinary Committee was established under the chairmanship of the Sailing Master with power to
penalize, fine or expel members who did not conform with Government regulations or any regulations
that the Club might, from time to time, see fit to pass. With Johnny Bussin responsible for seamanship
instruction, Bunny Willinsky sharing his knowledge of boat handling and safety at sea and Irving Gould in
charge of navigation and chart work, all members were expected to become qualified skippers so that
they would not injure themselves or embarrass the rest of the members or the Club. In addition to
“fostering sportsmanship and seamanship among Jewish youth and its members”, the Club was to provide
“social facilities to all visiting yachtsmen” and to “foster a better understanding between Jewish and
Gentile yachtsmen”.
The fundamental issue of whether or not it was to be an exclusively “Jewish yacht club” was addressed
and decided quickly. Notwithstanding the way that others had treated them, the answer from the
founders was a principled and emphatic NO!
At a meeting on February 4th, 1952 “upon motion regularly made and seconded, it was unanimously
decided that all applications for membership from persons of other than the Jewish faith would be given
the same consideration as all other applications.” This was a first for private clubs in Toronto and a policy
that proudly continues to this day.
Although the Club has no formal method of recording its demography, the membership of the IYC today
consists of a diverse group that includes all ages, races, religions, sexes, marital status and sexual preferences.
With a large proportion (at least 32 per cent) of non-Jewish members. IYC continues today as it was originally ordained, a yacht
club that is open to all comers of good character, who are prepared to pay the dues, abide by our collective rules
and honor the customs and courtesies of a yacht club.
Toronto Islands
The Toronto Islands are a chain of small islands in the city of Toronto, Ontario. Comprising the only group of islands in the western part of Lake Ontario, the Toronto Islands are located just offshore from the city centre, and provide shelter for Toronto Harbour...
, in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. The club is accessible by water from April to October using the Club's private tender. IYC has an elected Board of Directors and is managed by a professional staff.
Both a yacht club and a social club for families, Island Yacht Club has many amenities and organizes social activities such as holiday buffets and barbecues, sailing lessons and camps, family and children's activities, and boating events including: cruises, sailpasts and sailboat racing. Dockage is available for both power and sailboats. The club provides professional marine services.
Island Yacht Club Offers..
- Social and boating memberships
- Docks for both power and sailboats
- Marine services including secure winter storage
- Sailboats and kayaks for member use
- Four tennis courts
- Heated outdoor swimming pool- with supervised hours
- Men's and women's locker rooms
- Family and children's programs & activities
- Supervised children's playground, arts & crafts house and playhouse
- Casual and gourmet dining and social areas
- Meeting and catering facilities
- Adult Learn to Sail Program and Junior Sailing Camp
- Private tenderto the club from 539 Queen's Quay W. Toronto.
- Reciprocal club privileges
Links
History
The Island Yacht Club was founded in 1951 by a small group of Jewish sailing enthusiasts.According to an article by Pierre Berton published in MacLean’s Magazine on November 1st,
1948: “Segregation by race at which Canadians are apt to look askance when it is practiced in the
southern United States, is just as strong in the Canadian social world as it is in the economic world. There
are golf clubs which make no bones about the fact that they won’t accept Jewish members, college
fraternities and sororities, which exclude Jewish students. Members of these clubs have argued that in
private, social organizations they should be allowed to choose the people they associate with.”
It was in this social climate that Carl Keyfetz was retained in the spring of 1951 to obtain a Provincial Charter for a Social Club to be located on Mugg’s Island that would be dedicated to the promotion of “yachting, badminton, squash, tennis, bowling, skating, swimming, curling and other games of sport and to arrange matches and competitions of every nature and to offer or grant and contribute towards prizes awards and
distinctions”.
A lease for a parcel of land on Muggs Island – 250 feet deep by 600 feet along the water – was negotiated
with the City. On October 16th, 1951 an organizing meeting was held at the home of Cecil Yolles with Jack
and Estelle Morris, Bill Ackerman, Bob Singer, Dick Lorie, Bert Jacobs, Mel Gould, Eon Gilmore, Norm
Kirzner, Leo Perkel, Dr. S. Leibel, Cecil Yolles, Denny Yolles, Dr. Bernard “Bunny” Willinsky, John Bussin,
Joe Kitz, Barney Alper, Ben Dunkelman, Irving Gould and Mark Speyer in attendance. The first directors were John Bliss, salesman; Irving and Malville Gould, managers and Carl
Keyfetz, solicitor.
Only qualified and proven sailors were to be allowed to fly the IYC burgee. Training was mandatory. A
Disciplinary Committee was established under the chairmanship of the Sailing Master with power to
penalize, fine or expel members who did not conform with Government regulations or any regulations
that the Club might, from time to time, see fit to pass. With Johnny Bussin responsible for seamanship
instruction, Bunny Willinsky sharing his knowledge of boat handling and safety at sea and Irving Gould in
charge of navigation and chart work, all members were expected to become qualified skippers so that
they would not injure themselves or embarrass the rest of the members or the Club. In addition to
“fostering sportsmanship and seamanship among Jewish youth and its members”, the Club was to provide
“social facilities to all visiting yachtsmen” and to “foster a better understanding between Jewish and
Gentile yachtsmen”.
The fundamental issue of whether or not it was to be an exclusively “Jewish yacht club” was addressed
and decided quickly. Notwithstanding the way that others had treated them, the answer from the
founders was a principled and emphatic NO!
At a meeting on February 4th, 1952 “upon motion regularly made and seconded, it was unanimously
decided that all applications for membership from persons of other than the Jewish faith would be given
the same consideration as all other applications.” This was a first for private clubs in Toronto and a policy
that proudly continues to this day.
Although the Club has no formal method of recording its demography, the membership of the IYC today
consists of a diverse group that includes all ages, races, religions, sexes, marital status and sexual preferences.
With a large proportion (at least 32 per cent) of non-Jewish members. IYC continues today as it was originally ordained, a yacht
club that is open to all comers of good character, who are prepared to pay the dues, abide by our collective rules
and honor the customs and courtesies of a yacht club.