With 2021 being SYC's 80th year, plans are in-the-works for a major upgrade to club facilities to support future generations of local sailing enthusiasts and make room for new developments at Lake Shawnee. We've had big turnouts for our Introduction to Sailing sessions in recent years and improved facilities would help turn more of those prospects into new club members.

The adjacent "conceptual" renderings show the area around the current SYC clubhouse leveled off for boat parking, a new double-wide ramp, a new storage facility, new fencing for security, and a new sailing pavilion to replace the current clubhouse. Click/tap any of the images here for the full-size versions.

We expect the county and other sources to fund construction of the new boat parking and ramp. But SYC needs to come up with funding for the fencing and the storage facility. The county has offered to help fund construction of the new pavilion, but that means they would be renting it out to the public like the other shelters around the lake. SYC would have to go through that same rental process to reserve it, although the rental fee may be waived or reduced if we contribute toward construction.

If SYC could fully fund the new pavilion, it would be available for our use any time for planned or impromptu events, or just casual use by members. It would be a great amenity to help attract and retain members.

To help with this effort, a special Parks For All Foundation SYC Fund has been set up to allow for tax-deductible contributions. Any expenditures from this fund require SYC Board approval. SYC is asking current and former members to consider contributing to this fund to help keep sailing alive on Lake Shawnee for many years to come.

At this point, we are just hoping to get enough in contributions and pledges to convince the county to support moving forward with this upgrade plan and to commence construction in 2021. To date, several current and former SYC members have made sizable pledges. But we still have a long way to go.

There are many other worthy causes. But please consider a contribution to help upgrade SYC facilities. It could be cash or a direct transfer of IRA/RMD funds to take advantage of the tax benefits. Naming rights for the new sailing pavilion are a possibility. And while it won't help SYC in the short term, leaving a small portion to SYC in your estate plan would help us keep our facilities and equipment in good condition into the future.

To make a pledge to contribute at commencement of the improvements, please complete the Future Gift Pledge form. You can complete and sign it electronically and return it to us by email at or complete and sign a printed copy and mail to SYC at the address below. An SYC officer will sign the form and return a copy to you.

To contribute to the SYC Fund, make checks payable to "Parks For All Foundation" with "SYC Fund" on the memo/note line, and mail to:

Shawnee Yacht Club
P.O. Box 221
Topeka, KS 66601

We will forward your check on to the Parks For All Foundation and make sure it is deposited in the SYC Fund. Let us know if you want the gift to remain anonymous.

For more information or if you have questions or comments please email the SYC Facility Upgrade Committee (Mark Marling & Mike Gorman) at . With your help, we can keep SYC thriving for many new generations of Lake Shawnee sailors.