Page 32 - PCYC 75th Anniversary Book

Did you know Marilyn Bell swam at PCYC?

In 1953, the PCYC Executive granted the Lakeshore Swimming Club the privilege of training at PCYC. Swimming
Coach Gus Ryder wrote to thank the Club for its interest in his swimmers and the honorary membership to PCYC.
Gus Ryder was Marilyn Bell’s swimming coach and she made her epic crossing of Lake Ontario one year later in 1954.
We didn’t even have a pool back then, but the lake was handy! Rumour has it that Gus used to tell Marilyn the
water temperature was 61°F when it was really 51°F!

A New Year’s Eve party to remember?

In 1951, when the first New Year’s Eve bash was held at PCYC, it was a “bring your own” event, food, liquor,
entertainment, and, as it turns out… water too! After weeks of planning, disaster struck at about 4 pm on
December 31st when it was discovered that the water supply was frozen. Too late to cancel, the members came
up with a rather innovative solution to the lack of water availability in the washrooms. A hole was cut in the ice
and a bucket of water put at the bottom of the stairs. Guests were asked to take it up, use the water to flush the
toilet, bring the bucket back down and fill it up for the next person!

Other notable events of the 1950s

• In 1952, women started to have more of a presence at • PCYC tried for many years to obtain a liquor licence
PCYC with the formation of the PCYC Ladies Auxiliary. but the laws of the day were very strict and the LCBO
Headed by Jean Collett, the committee took on much deemed the Club to be a “social club” and ineligible.
of the interior decoration of the Clubhouse. Imagine Executive and members’ dismay after finally
being granted a licence, only to be charged with
• In 1954, PCYC was spared the wrath of Hurricane Hazel bootlegging and losing it in 1959 after neighbours
despite an 18 knot current in the Credit River which had complained of excessive noise!
risen over 3 feet. Thanks to the protection of our “snug
harbour”, none of our boats suffered any significant damage
and we were the only club on the Lake to be so lucky.
Boats in the PCYC Harbour 1956 (Right)

30 The 1950s