Save the U.S. Sailing Center

Limited water access for sailing is a hindrance for the sport, and what does exist is worth protecting. This is the situation for the U.S. Sailing Center in Miami, FL.

This rare public facility serves all aspects of sailing – basic instruction, disabled sailing, one design class support, and Olympic-level training. But the lease is now threatened by City Hall suits that want the land back.

The Center, which pays market rate rent, wants to continue serving the sport, both the local enthusiasts along with the international tribe that travels to Miami each winter to train.

As a long time contributor to the sport, Bill Smoak presents this plea:

I support renewal of the City of Miami’s lease of the U.S. Sailing Center in David T. Kennedy Park. The center is the result of a 1985 tripartite agreement between the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), the City of Miami, and the United States Sailing Center, a nonprofit comprised of a local volunteer management team.

The center was designated by the USOC as a U.S. Olympic training site for the sailing team with permission to fly the Olympic flag. In addition, the center was to provide local small boat sailors year round access to Biscayne Bay, and to support youth sailing.

As a permanent resident of Miami-Dade County since 1960 and a resident of Coconut Grove for three decades, it has been gratifying to see the center not only fulfill its initial role as a training ground for our Olympic teams, but also to expand and bring international recognition for Miami as one of the most important sailing venues in the world.

In 1990, the center held the first Olympic Classes Regatta, now designated as one of three regatta venues leading to Olympic entry qualification.

In 2002, a two-story building designed to accommodate sailors was completed. The Herman Whiton Pavilion provides class rooms, a press room, and storage for the equipment necessary to support the center’s year round activities.

Sailing is important internationally and our many regattas bring Miami worldwide international press coverage. Beginning in the early fall and proceeding until late spring, sailors from all over the world converge on our city providing continuing financial benefit.

The U.S. Sailing Center has been a great success that Miami can point to with pride. I hope Miami Mayor Francis Suarez will vote to renew the lease in a public hearing on May 10.

What’s needed immediately is for people to sign an online petition and flood the commissioners with emails and letters.

A support rally and planning conference will be held at the Center at 6:00pm on May 8, and attendance is strongly encouraged at the 9:00am public hearing where the vote on the lease renewal will take place at Miami City Hall on May 10, 2018.

Some additional supporting documents:
• US Olympic Committee
• US Olympic Sailing
• Background of U.S. Sailing Center
• Economic Impact Overview