Shelter Island’s marinas and golf courses will be closed at least through April after Governor Andrew M. Cuomo updated guidance on what is considered an essential business.
Around the Island business owners are feeling the burden of the new shutdowns announced on the brink of their season openings.
The Island Boatyard
“The good news is, I ordered everything, all our materials, before the season started,” James Brantuck of the Island Boatyard said Friday. “So we’ll be ready to go when the restrictions are lifted. We’ll do whatever is necessary to get these boats in the water.”
“On my side, its going to mean a lot of overtime, but I’m totally willing to do that for our customers who’ve been loyal to us all these years,” he said in a phone interview. Meantime, he’s continuing to pay his staff.
Until the governor’s restrictions are lifted, he can provide service only to essential workers, like bay constables and operators of commercial fishing vessels.
Brantuck is concerned about the impact of the shutdown on his business.
“It’s a challenge in terms of payroll,” he said. And, he’s spending a few of hours a day working on SBA loan applications, “it’s such a big package, the clarification of, they’re still working it out. It’s not like they’re cutting checks to anyone.”
And, Brantuck said was looking forward to a big year at the marina’s event space, The Boathouse.
“We lost four events so far. Of the four, one rescheduled,” he said. With 12 events scheduled, “this was going to be our big year.”
Most were weddings in May and June. Brantuck said, noting losses like these are felt throughout the local economy by party rental services, caterers, hotels and house rentals and more.
Couples who had booked wanted to know what the policy was regarding their deposits.
“The policy is out the window,” Brantuck said he told them. “If you want to cancel, 100 percent, I’ll do the right thing. Hopefully this is a once in a lifetime event.”
Coecles Harbor Marina
At Coecles Harbor Marina, Schuyler Needham said the shutdown has idled a staff of around 30 at at time when there would usually be unlimited work getting boats ready for the season.
“I hardly know what to say,” Needham said in a phone interview. The marina is continuing to pay employees, he said. But depending on how long the shutdown lasts, he worries that boat owners may decide not to go ahead with planned work, further restricting revenues.
Shelter Island Yacht Club
“Not knowing is the hardest part,” said Shelter Island Yacht Club waterfront and facilities manager Wade Kotula. The club would normally be getting boats in the water by now, but moorings aren’t even in at this point, he said.
If the dining room cannot open, the club wants to begin providing takeout for members in mid-May. And sailing camp registration is underway. Should the season be shortened, he said the club would pro-rate fees accordingly.
If the club cannot open to members as usual on Memorial Day weekend, the commissioning will still take place and will be live streamed so members can watch the flags go up from home, he said.
Gardiner’s Bay Country Club
At Gardiner’s Bay Country Club, the 18-hole course had been open with winter greens. An official opening was planned for this weekend with a traditional Easter egg hunt and family brunch. With golf shut down and no gatherings allowed, GBCC is instead providing takeout to members.
While the golf course is closed, maintenance will continue, says GBCC Golf Pro Leigh Notley.
“While we will miss seeing you this holiday weekend, we remain hopeful for the future,” Notley said in a note to members. “We’re thankful to those on the frontlines of this pandemic and saddened for those personally affected. We are determined, with the help of our incredible Shelter Island community, to do our part to help flatten the curve.”
Notley said the Pro Shop is well-stocked with spring merchandise and shoppers can order items by telephone for curbside pick-up or delivery to local Shelter Island addresses. Call 401-662-1249, or email gbccproshop@gmail.com.
Shelter Island Country Club
The 9-hole public Shelter Island County Club is also closed, said Mary Fran Gleason, a trustee, and Gordon Cantley, chair of the club board. Until the governor updated his mandate, golfers could play, paying by the honor system. But the new ruling means the course is closed for golf until further notice.
“The club is planning for the worst and hoping for the best with respect to the pandemic and how it will affect the club.” Gleason said. The board and members want to “do their part and do not want to do anything that will prolong the pandemic.”
Ideally, they hope to open by Memorial Day. Meantime, they’ll maintain the course. And the Town of Shelter Island, which owns the facility, is working the club to refurbish the clubhouse deck.
“Be advised that anyone who ignores the closure and plays on the course does so at his or her own risk,” the SICC board of directors said in a letter to members Sunday. “The Board will not defend them should complaints be made.”
“None of us has experienced anything like this coronavirus pandemic before,” the letter said. “Past practices don’t always seem the most appropriate for these times. Health and safety have to come first, and to that end, we cannot take anything for granted, be too lax, or behave defiantly.”
“We ask for your patience while we ride this out over the next few weeks. In the meantime, we hope you and your loved ones stay safe. Hopefully we will see you on the course soon.”
Eddie Brennan and Julie O’Neill-Bliss contributed to this report.
