In his Friday e-blast, First Selectman Fred Camillo shared a positive update on the summer sailing school at Tod’s Point.
In November a letter to customers from Jane Pimentel on behalf of Greenwich Community Sailing caused quite a stir. She said that after 24 years the school would not reopen in summer 2022, because the town could not guarantee that the Chimes Building would be usable in 2022 or 2023, which made it risky for them to invest in new boats.
After that letter was shared widely on social media, Camillo and Parks & Rec responded.
“All along Parks & Rec has been told this vendor they were going to be closing down that area due to construction of the Chimes building, but they intended to have someone run a sailing program, but at a different spot while construction is going on,” Camillo explained.
Parks & Rec said they had agreed to a rent reduction of 50% for Community Sailing and that the contract clearly stated there would likely be a period of time when the Chimes building and surrounding area would be closed for construction. Also, they said the contracted specified that town might choose to offer an alternate location at Greenwich Point for the sailing school and boat rental.
On Nov 22 Parks & Rec announced the town issued RFP 7667 for a Sailing School and Boat Rental Operator, with a deadline of Dec 14, 2021.
Greenwich Community Sailing at Tod’s Point, Chimes building in background. File Photo
On Friday, Camillo wrote that the Town was working with a Greenwich-based non-profit organization to reinstate the Greenwich sailing program at Greenwich Point for summer 2022.
“The non-profit organization will continue this important community service, which serves approximately 800 adults and children every year,” he said, adding that the program also provides 30 seasonal jobs, primarily for local college and high school students.
Camillo said the non-profit organization was facing a significant start-up financial challenge to get this ready for the summer.
“They are in the procurement stage for items and services that must be secured as soon as possible, such as insurance, a website launch, and most importantly, instructional equipment,” he said.
Camillo said residents interested in supporting the program and helping it get off the ground, should contact the principal sponsor, Bill King, at [email protected] or at [email protected].
“I thank you in advance for helping support this initiative,” Camillo said.