PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The Port Arthur Yacht Club will be losing two of it's buildings inside the marina after the city council voted to let a Dallas-based developer lease them.
On Tuesday, April 7 Port Arthur City Council members voted 4-3 to let the developer lease the buildings that the yacht club has used for 50 years.
12News previously reported that this is the same company that wants to build a water park across from the marina.
An official with the yacht club says he is disappointed with the city's decision to not renew their lease.
He tells 12News that despite trying to show council members how important the club is to the community, it just wasn't enough.
"Without these buildings it's very difficult, if not impossible, to continue our programs," said Junior Sailing Director Brian Meadowcroft.
Meadowcroft says without the boathouse and clubhouse they have no choice but to cancel two upcoming youth sailing programs.
"It basically means that we do not have the resources to do our programs, we don't have the space to store our boats," he said.
Meadowcroft says the club started the leasing renewal process back in 2021, but they were told they would need to submit a proposal to the city first.
"They wanted to see what different organizations would do. We have met personally with the city council and had some of them down here to see what it is we do," Meadowcroft said.
But during Tuesday's city council meeting the club lost and the lease was given to a Dallas-based developer. In May 2023, the company announced it was planning to bring a water park and hotel to Pleasure Island.
RELATED: Dallas-based developer shares proposed Pleasure Island water park plan to Port Arthur City Council
Port Arthur Mayor Thruman Bartie believes they plan to use the buildings for office space.
Meadowcroft was hoping for a compromise.
"It could help the yacht club grow. Some people want to go to the water park some want to see the boats and now, still in this design phase for the water park, why must they have this building?" said Meadowcroft.
Meadowcroft tells 12News that people will still be able to keep their boats at the marina but will lose access to the yacht clubs facilities.
He says they could move outside of the city limits, but they are still unsure where they will go next.