Reporting from IRBBA’s Fall Meeting

Fourteen boats clubs from up and down the river gathered at SRYC on November 4 for the Illinois River Basin Boating Association’s fall meeting. Here’s what happened.

Wayne Eichelkraut, Political Action Officer, reported that local officials have been active running gaming machine enforcement operations in the area. Be careful not to allow underage people to use video poker machines. Also:

  • Shoreline Boat Club received a letter from the Army Corps that their island would be needed for storing dredging spoils. Shoreline is in talks with ACE about it.
  • Clubs also compared notes about the latest real estate assessments from La Salle County. SRYC’s tax bill for next year will increase substantially, due to the Assessor including the docks in the valuation for the first time.
  • Peoria Boat Club reminds us that their struggle to save their property and adjacent park land from redevelopment is ongoing. Action is expected in December.

Vice Commodore Amanda Camp and Treasurer Todd Peterson are planning Winter Games, February 22-25, at the Travelodge in Peoria. Reservations open on December 1, and the theme for 2018 is “County Fair.”

Wide Waters Yacht Club said plans are well underway for Miss Riverbottom 2018, scheduled for June 21-24. The bands are booked and the theme has been chosen: “Party Like a Pirate”. Renee Hollingsworth is chairing the event.

SRYC member Twila Christiansen has stepped down as IRBBA’s secretary after 20 years of service. The crowd gathered gave Twila a standing ovation in appreciation. Kelly Peterson will succeed Twila in the role of secretary.

Two people were nominated for the prestigious Hall of Fame award, SRYC Commodore Scott Robertson and SRYC Member Larry Christiansen. They will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame at Winter Games in February.

Two important charity events are scheduled for early January: East Peoria Boat Club’s Polar Plunge on New Year’s Day, and the Penguin Plunge at Heritage Harbor, January 6.