"Believe me, my young friend there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats."
Club motto from Ratty, in Kenneth Grahame's The Wind In The Willows
Untitled document
Water Rats Newsletters
July 19, 2010 - News Letter
Security Alert!
If you haven't already heard, there have been a number of break-ins at Waterrats this season, and a number of boats have been lost or damaged. The offenders often seem to be coming around the southwest edge of fence, across the water. The executive discussed this at a recent meeting and decided on a number of initiatives:
Hiring Intelliguard for 6 weeks to surveil the property. They are making random patrols after 9:30pm, and have the ability to arrest anyone on site who does not belong, so ensure you have your club key with you, as this is the only identification we have to prove membership.
Putting up some "do not trespass" and Inteliguard security signs around the perimeter.
Reinforcing the fence with barbed wire in vulnerable areas.
Planting thorny bushes in breach areas.
Here's what you can do:
Always lock the gates when entering and exiting the club.
Keep your boats secure.
If you see suspicious/illegal behaviour such as drinking or bon fires in the public land around the club (especially in the area just southwest of the club) call the police at 55 division, 416-808-5500. (This was the advice the police gave us!)
Ask people who are not members or members' guests to leave club property; you can identify members by asking them to show the current club key.
Clean Up Day - The Sequel
It's been 2 months since clean up day and the club is starting to look a little shabbier. Come to Clean Up Day on Saturday July 24 from 10am-2pm to help make the club look its best. Tasks that need doing:
Beach and General Clean Up -- also remove debris from the water such as glass bottles and cans.
Spreading the newly acquired sand out on the beach – don’t forget to clean the beach before spreading!
Cut the grass particularly around your boat.
Tidy up the club house.
Sweep the area around the new boat house as there is lots of debris from the demolition
Clean out the BBQ's.
Trim the tall grasses around trees and fixed objects. Gas trimmer is in the storage container.
Remove the large bricks that are in the water north of the Lagoon ramp.
Other Work or Pay Projects (contact the executive for scheduling)
We need some people to help with fixing and expanding the south ramp.
We need help in fixing the west fence to strengthen against intruders including stringing more barbed wire
Your club keys will allow you access into the new storage container along the fence. If you enter the north door you will find clean up tools, a trimmer, lawn mower and gas. Please put garbage into the metal container near the washrooms. Any organic materials you collect can be placed outside the north fence like we do for all clean up days (divide the areas between logs, branches and leaves). Executive members should be around to sign your work or pay chits. If you cannot find one when needed, please document your tasks and hours on the back of your chit for future reference.
