Photo: Jon Manchester

A special meeting of Kelowna Yacht Club members scheduled for tonight has been cancelled.

The meeting was originally called to hold a vote on additional fees deemed necessary to help the club dig itself out of a projected shortfall of more than $500,000.

A notice sent to members this week from Commodore Henry Harlos, following a board of directors meeting Monday, states the meeting will not proceed.

However, a one-time assessment to regular and corporate members of $350 and social members of $230 will go ahead. Those additional fees will raise an additional $545,000.

"The invoice will be sent shortly," an email to members obtained by Castanet News stated.

"The board recognizes that many questions remain about how to fund our operations appropriately. Until these matters are clarified, there will be no change to member dues prior to the annual general meeting in February 2018, the exception being the CPI uplift in accordance with club bylaws."   

The email went on to say a board-appointed implementation committee has temporarily assumed the GM's role, and has installed measures to reduce losses and streamline operations at the yacht club.

The members lounge remains open on a reduced schedule, from Wednesday to Sunday.

"The board of directors thanks a number of member volunteers and staff who have stepped up with a positive attitude and a willingness to make things better. We all know that the Kelowna Yacht Club owns the best waterfront property in the West. We simply have to take the time to develop a way to optimize the use of the club’s assets in accordance with the best intentions of previous volunteers and boards.   

"All board members are actively engaged in setting the club on a path to long-term, predictable financial stability."