The Isle Madame Boat Club maintains a Facebook page which may offer more timely information and photos of our activities.
The Isle Madame Boat Club (IMBC) is a non-profit organization owned and operated by its members. It is registered with the Province of Nova Scotia Joint Stocks.
The IMBC is unique for several reasons:
-
1976:
It is located in a historical harbour that has hosted fishermen since
the 16th century;
-
1976:
It is a deep natural harbour, strategically located just off Chedabucto
Bay, making it a perfect stop-over point for recreational vessels;
- 1976: It offers shelter to vessels coming from the Atlantic Ocean or down through the Strait of Canso.
As a registered non-profit organization, its IMBC members have been very mindful of their role as a fixture of Isle Madame life. Isle Madame is promoted as the “island with 100 coves” with Arichat being the most historic of these “coves”.
The IMBC and marina were created from nothing over a 48 year period by reclaiming and remediating donated marshland, constructing a large breakwater and dredging 130,000 cubic yards of Arichat harbour.
The IMBC has been a good steward of government and private sector investment. It has become a place where boaters can keep their boats safe and enjoy socializing with each other and the broader community.
We would like to share a bit of our history and a few milestones:
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1976:
The club was founded under the name the Arichat Boat Club.
Through the generosity of Clem Boucher and his family and that of Virginia Garrison, land was donated and assembled to create the IMBC. In addition, the old government wharf, part of the site, was purchased from the Crown and functioned as a breakwater to protect the first iteration of the marina.
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1986:
The club was incorporated under the name Isle Madame Boat Club.
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1993:
The first Arichat Cup yacht race was held.
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1997:
The board authorized the development of a marina facility.
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1999:
Dredging of approximately 13,000 cubic yards of material began followed
by the construction of docks for 34 recreational vessels with water and
electrical provisions. Most of the work was completed by club members with
the assistance of a professional contractor.
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2003:
The clubhouse was enlarged.
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2006:
Construction of the breakwater, replacing the old government wharf.
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2012:
A complete redesign and upgrade of existing docks.
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2014:
The Isle Madame Sailing School was set up and a building to house the
school facilities was constructed. New sailboats, safety boat and instructional
material were purchased.
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2015:
Construction of the concrete ramp, and associated grounds lighting, was
completed. Pump-out facilities were put in place.
- 2016: A dinghy dock was completed.
Financing for the initial project was raised through the issuance of debentures to the membership. Major funding for subsequent projects was received from Enterprise Cape Breton Corporation (ECBC). Supportive funding was received from the Municipality of the County of Richmond, the Province of Nova Scotia, St Joseph’s Credit Union in Petit de Grat and from IMBC members.
Virtually all labour for projects and upkeep is done on a volunteer basis by Club membership.