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DISCOVER MIMICO CRUISING CLUB:
An urban oasis
BY JENNIFER COLLINS | LEAD MCC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM AND BRUCE PIERCE | PLANNING COMMITTEE
Many of our Humber Bay Shores neighbours may be curious about and perhaps attracted by the boats, docks and facilities on the west side of Humber Bay Park.
In the spring or fall you may have seen large cranes lift power and sail boats into and out of the water with military preci- sion or watched those boats during the summer escaping the city for Lake Ontario’s vast expanse.
Some of you may wonder how to get started as a boater or club social member. So let us introduce ourselves — Mimico Cruising Club — and welcome
you to our thriving community.
Humber Bay Park was designed for boating clubs by the Metropolitan Toronto and Region Conservation Authority in the 1970s. MCC opened in 1978 as a “self-help” club, where member participation creates affordable access to boating while contributing to a friendly
community atmosphere.
Our clubhouse includes a fully
licensed restaurant, outdoor decks and patio, and meeting room where we host many social activities, including commu- nity events and weddings. Our facilities
are comfortable and relaxing — the per- fect setting for large or small events.
Community activities at MCC have included:
• Discover Boating Days, for curious beginners
• Fundraising regattas for Easter Seals • Auxiliary Coast Guard support
• Safety at Sea Training for experienced
and new boaters
• Contributions to the Etobicoke
Food Bank
• Support for LAMP Community
Health Centre
As a Cruising Club, we encourage members to explore other clubs and ports of call around the lake. The original inhabitants called it the “Beautiful Lake” for a good reason.
While about half of our members are power boaters, we have a strong sailing tradition, with one of the largest mid- week racing programs on the Lake. Our Club racers are often looking for crew, and in many cases, you can join our Crew Bank with minimal experience. It’s a great way to learn the fun of racing and
get out on the water. The pandemic will make this program somewhat restricted this year, but there’s light on the horizon and smooth sailing ahead.
Sailing is a great gateway into boating at any age. Kids can get their first experi- ence through Junior Sail programs where they learn water safety and are chal- lenged by moving a boat using only the wind. MCC offers several bursaries for children and youth through our neigh- bouring sister club, EYC.
We’ve also seen the rise of kayaks and stand-up paddle boards in the neigh- bourhood. Our social members can now enjoy our full Club facilities, store small watercraft out of the weather, and launch from Club docks.
We’re always looking for ways to raise our community involvement and wel- come new ideas. Please reach out at mimicocruisingclub.com, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
Keep an eye out for our neighbour- hood open house when things return to normal, and plan to join us for member- ship information nights, to just to say hello and enjoy our hospitality. We hope to see you at MCC soon. HH
SPRING 2021 | HUMBER HAPPENINGS 15