President's Letter

photoWelcome to the Community Sailing Center's new web page! Our fresh look is just one of many exciting developments at the Center.

It has been over ten years since I was asked to join the Center's Board. Since then we have celebrated ten seasons of fully operational programming, providing instruction, rentals and storage for anyone with any ability and any human or wind powered craft to enjoy Lake Champlain. Our budget has quadrupled, our fleet is over 50 vessels and our user visits have increased ten-fold. Early this year, the Board ratified a 3-year Strategic Plan to guide the Center's remarkable growth and commitment to the community.

2007 was a milestone year for the Center. The Center brought the community closer to Lake Champlain by providing over 11,000 user visits and hundreds of school children the opportunity to learn to sail and experience the lake. We also had our best fundraising effort ever – anchored by the historic arrival of Bull & Bear last summer. In addition, we were awarded a $200,000 matching grant from Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to provide additional docks and amenities on the waterfront at the Moran Station.

The Moran Station has been our home since the City first leased it to the Center in 1993. I can't imagine any other place on the waterfront for the Center to provide the exceptional public access and recreational opportunities it has provided during the last fifteen years. Mayor Bob Kiss has proposed a Moran Redevelopment Plan that envisions a new permanent home for the Center, along with Ice Factor – a world class ice climbing and adventure facility, and the Green Mountain Children's Museum – the only children's museum in Vermont. Burlington Parks and Recreation will manage the facility for the City and host thousands of visitors in a renovated and green year-round facility that revitalizes the northern end of Waterfront Park. The proposal is a refined vision of our founding Director, Marcel Beaudin.

The Center has been a voice in many planning initiatives for the adaptive reuse of the Moran Plant since 1994. The Mayor's proposal provides the greatest opportunity for the Center I have seen – a permanent year-round home with non-profit and for-profit partners in the development who complement the Center's activities and mission. I urge you to explore the web site, especially the Moran Center at Waterfront Park page and related links.

Celebrate the lake and come play with Kate, Colin and our amazing staff at the Community Sailing Center this summer.

Mark Naud, President