Built by the people who believed in it—one dredge, one dollar, and one handshake at a time.

The story of the Bay of Islands Yacht Club begins in the mid-1960s, when Bill Piercey acquired waterfront property in Allen’s Cove with a vision of establishing a yacht club and marina for the Corner Brook area.

At the time, recreational boating in western Newfoundland was still limited, but interest was beginning to grow. Piercey’s early initiative laid the foundation for what would eventually become a thriving boating community.

By the early 1970s, a small group of dedicated boaters began using Allen’s Cove as a natural harbour.

With no infrastructure in place, members set their own moorings and accessed their boats by dinghy. At low tide, reaching shore often meant hauling boats and supplies hundreds of feet across exposed seabed.

Determined to improve access, members pooled funds—contributing $35 each—to dredge a narrow channel. This allowed dinghies to reach shore even at low tide and marked the club’s first shared investment.

As participation grew, the need for structure became clear.

An interim executive was formed in the early 1970s, leading to the formal establishment of the club. The Bay of Islands Yacht Club was officially incorporated on December 29, 1977, as a not-for-profit organization.

Newspaper coverage from the time shows a club already thinking ahead—planning marina development, seeking funding, and working to expand capacity.

Early infrastructure milestones included:

• Channel dredging in 1973


• First Constitution created in 1975


• Construction of a service wharf in 1977

As the club expanded, members continued to invest directly in its development.

A second major dredging effort required contributions beyond the club’s capacity. A group of 10 members generously gave $500 each to advance the club’s objectives. This work deepened the harbour, allowing boats—not just dinghies—to access the wharf, and contributed to the formation of a breakwater.

Despite these improvements, access challenges persisted for years. Newspaper reports from the 1990s highlight ongoing limitations in docking capacity and difficulties accommodating visiting vessels.

One of the most defining moments in the club’s history came with the purchase of its land.

The property at Allen’s Cove had originally been owned by Bill Piercey and leased to members for approximately $1,000 per year during the club’s early years.

On June 10, 1988, the club officially purchased the land.

To make this possible, members signed personal guarantees and collectively borrowed approximately $100,000 from the bank. The land itself was acquired for $15,000, with additional funds supporting operations and expansion.

This was a significant financial risk—and a defining act of belief in the club’s future.

With support from volunteers, local businesses, and government programs, the club expanded its infrastructure:

• Continued dredging and harbour improvements


• Wharf construction and upgrades


• Development of club facilities

One of the most unique elements of this era was the first clubhouse, built using materials from the original Presentation High School on Mount Bernard Avenue—repurposing a piece of Corner Brook’s history.

By the 1990s, the club had become an important part of the region’s recreational landscape, though infrastructure challenges remained.

A major turning point came in the late 1990s.

After years of planning and advocacy, the club secured significant government support:

• $250,000 in federal funding for dredging and breakwater improvements


• A broader $900,000 development strategy to expand and modernize the marina

These investments helped resolve long-standing access issues and significantly improved docking capacity and facilities.

While the Bay of Islands Yacht Club was built through hard work and financial commitment, it also became something more.

Over the years, the clubhouse hosted countless gatherings, parties, and events—bringing members, families, and visitors together. These moments helped shape the club into not just a marina, but a vibrant and enduring community.