Southwestern Yacht Club (SWYC) in Point Loma broke ground March 9 on a major construction project. The former clubhouse has been demolished and construction will begin soon on the new facility as mandated by the Port Commission during lease negotiations over the past five years. The new facility will feature a larger kitchen, dining and banquet facilities and meeting rooms to accommodate club activities. “The former club served us well for 26 years, but this was an opportunity to step back and think about what we needed to enhance the experience for our members,” said SWYC?Commodore Margo King Hemond. “Our members enjoy getting together after a day on the water. The new facility will enhance that experience immensely,” she said. In addition, it will better accommodate our many community events.” King Hemond pointed to challenges. “We are working hard to cause as little disruption to our neighbors as possible. We live in a close community and we want to continue to be good neighbors,” King Hemond said. “Also, throughout the 14-month project, we need to keep our club going for the benefit of our members,” she said. “To meet this need, we have erected a temporary facility which we have named the ‘Graham Shand’ in honor of one of our early commodores who was instrumental in keeping SWYC viable during the Depression years.” SWYC was formed in 1925 by visionary yachtsmen looking for ways to enjoy each other’s company and to share their enthusiasm for boating. Since then, the club has developed into a full-service operation with over 750 members embracing all forms of boating activities within the community. — Special contribution by SWYC