Vero's New Sailing Center Is Rising by the 17th Street Bridge

Drive over the 17th Street Bridge lately and you have probably seen it going up on the mainland side, just south of the bridge. That is the new Pat Harris Community Sailing Center, the future home of YSF Community Sailing, and it is the first piece of the city's Three Corners waterfront plan to get a shovel in the ground.

YSF fleet on the lagoon — Photo: YSF Community Sailing

What is being built?

Work started on December 1, 2025, with the demolition of a large water tank at the old Vero Beach wastewater treatment plant site. The plan is a 10,000 square foot sailing center on a 3-acre park with boat ramps, a pier and pavilions, according to the Youth Sailing Foundation.

A large second-floor meeting room with views of the Indian River Lagoon
A ground-floor instruction center and repair shops for the fleet
The waterfront park will be named the Charlie and Chris Pope Marine Recreational Park, after YSF's founders

Proctor Construction of Vero Beach is building it. Project manager Stu Keiller has called it "a 100-year building that will stand up to hurricanes."

When does it open?

YSF says the building and park will open in December 2026. The building, Phase I, is fully funded. YSF is raising $1 million for Phase II: the pavilions, a 180-foot pier and a maintenance endowment.

Who sails at YSF?

Young YSF sailors on the beach — Photo: YSF Community Sailing

YSF was founded in 2009 to use sailing to help kids reach their full potential. Today it sails as YSF Community Sailing and welcomes kids, adults and families. The foundation reports more than 350 sailors enrolled a year, from 35 schools plus homeschoolers. About half come from underserved homes and sail for free, and an adaptive program puts special needs sailors on specially designed Hansa boats.

Adults can join too. Members reserve Sunfish, Laser, Hobie Cat and Flying Scot day sailors online and take them out on the lagoon.

Young sailors on a YSF boat — Photo: YSF Community Sailing

How can you help or get on the water?

Sign up a child or yourself for lessons at ysfirc.org
Give to the Phase II campaign on the YSF site
Questions: [email protected] or 772-492-3243

We love seeing a place like this go up. A kid who learns to trim a sail on our lagoon learns patience, teamwork and confidence, and now they will have a real home base to do it from.

Tell us on Facebook: have you sailed on our lagoon? Share your story and photos in the comments on the Vero Vine Facebook page.

Sources: YSF Community Sailing.

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Ava Cook

Community Manager at Vero Vine

Hello!
My name is Ava Cook and I am a Freshman at Florida Southern College in Lakeland FL. I am currently a B.F.A musical theatre major with a minor in Business Administration. I love reading, singing, acting, dancing, and writing. My favorite part about Vero Beach and Indian River County as a whole is how close the community is. Vero Vine is important to me as it allows me to do my part it bringing the community together also, sharing events, small businesses, and other local happenings. If you have any questions or any recommendations for me, my email is always open [email protected].