nmoore | atGeist.com

Posted June 11, 2013 - No Comment

Taking a New Tack

The 13-acre site of the Indianapolis Sailing Club features a dated clubhouse which has become the topic of discussion with members.

One of Geist Reservoir’s venerable institutions finds itself in a crosswind. The Indianapolis Sailing Club (ISC) is engaged in discussions about the future of its clubhouse. The passage of time and changing expectations about best uses for the structure have taken a toll. Thus, at least three proposals for re-inventing the clubhouse are under consideration: 1) update the 1950s-era facility and build an addition to the existing structure; 2) replace the clubhouse with a new building; or 3) funnel the club’s money and energy toward developing a new generation of sailors and club members. “You get 300 opinions on what we should do,” said ISC Commodore Paul Kirkpatrick.

A key argument for either new construction or a comprehensive updating is the need to bring the facility up to modern standards. For example, the clubhouse currently has no air conditioning. Construction proponents say such improvements would, among other advantages, increase the facility’s usage for business meetings and the like. “Now, the clubhouse is basically unused Monday through Friday,” said Kirkpatrick. “We are one of Indy’s best-kept secrets; and when trying to recruit new members, a modern-day facility would be helpful.”

New Indianapolis Sailing Club commodore Paul Kirkpatrick caught in a clubhouse debate.

Founded in 1955, ISC currently has about 300 family members – 200 of which are boat owners who use the 13-acre site overlooking the lake as home base for recreational and race sailing. In addition to the many social activities, adult and youth sailing lessons are offered at the club; and the occasional presence of groups of children is part of the argument for an expansion design that would include a walk-out basement. “In the event of storms, kids and adults need an appropriate shelter,” Kirkpatrick said.

A different faction would prefer the club use funds to buy more kid boats for junior sailing programs, with an eye toward growing future membership. “That’s a good argument, too – I respect others’ opinions,” said Kirkpatrick. “[Discussion] got pretty heated around here the first of the year. My approach has been to let things settle down. We’re doing a membership survey to help with the decision.”

The club is in the enviable position of carrying no debt and has a consistent income stream from AT&T’s lease of a small portion of land where a cellphone tower now stands. With interest rates low and money in the bank, Kirkpatrick said conditions are right for doing something. “One idea is to keep the building’s look and just make it bigger,” he said. “Others say scrap it and build a million-dollar facility.” However, the thought of a mortgage scares some of the membership.

One thing is certain. The first annual Geist Triathlon (July 27) will utilize ISC to stage the swimming leg of the triathlon as participants take to the water in the ISC cove.

Information about the Geist Triathlon is available at www.geisttri.com. Sailing Club info is at www.indianapolissailing.org.

Biking Italiano-style: New road course cycling event pedals from Geist to Center Grove

Chris and Matt Tanner are co-founders of the Gran Fondo bike ride fundraiser to be held on August 17.

If you’re a bicycle enthusiast, mark your calendar for August 17. Indiana’s first-ever Gran Fondo wheels away at 7:00 that Saturday morning, rain or shine. Presented by the Rollfast Cycling Club of Indiana, the cross-country cycling event will offer three routes of varying length, and is designed to attract riders of all skill levels (participants must be 12 years or older). “Gran Fondo roughly translates as ‘big ride’ in Italian,” said event organizer and club founder, Matt Tanner. “Gran Fondos have been run for many years across Europe. It’s a hybrid between a long-distance recreational ride and a competitive event.”

A mass launch of the anticipated 500 riders is planned, with start and finish staged on E. 56th St. at Fort Harrison in Lawrence. Riders will navigate to Fall Creek Parkway, heading north to 96th St. From there, participants will branch off to their chosen course: Piccolo, 25 miles; Medio, 60 miles; or Gran, 100 miles. “This isn’t a race – it’s a timed event,” emphasized Tanner. “While participants will have microchips to record their times, it’s intended to be a relaxed atmosphere.”

So, why a Gran Fondo? “It was created for anyone who wants to ride and challenge themselves to do their best time on whichever route they pick,” explained Tanner. “Traditionally, bike clubs are expected to put on events, and we wanted something big, and that hadn’t been done before.” Event co-founder Chris Tanner added that proceeds raised will be donated to Nine13Sports, a local fitness organization targeting childhood obesity. “They’re mission is to get kids on bikes and exercising in a fun and effective way,” she said.

Each course will have support stations, with the 25-mile course featuring a rolling road closure for optimal safety. Organizers are seeking volunteer course marshals. “Biking is a new-found passion for me, and I’m excited about this. It’s going to be a really cool event for novice and experienced riders,” shared Chris. The Rollfast Gran Fondo tag line is “We go?!” – a question shouted to riders at the start of most European fondos. It always prompts an enthusiastic, positive response – something the Tanners are anticipating.

Online registration is now open at www.rollfastfondo.com. The cost is $75 for general riders, with a $250 VIP option available that includes a night-before party and silent auction with professional riders and other athletes expected to be on hand. Event packet pickup will be at Triton Brewery, where a post-race festival/expo is planned. Additional details are available at www.rollfastfondo.com.

Micro Brew with Macro Appeal

David Waldman, Operations Director for Triton Brewing Company, is a co-founder and self-pronounced beer snob.

What does one do with a decades-old mule barn smack in the middle of what used to be Fort Benjamin Harrison? If you’re David Waldman, you turn it into a microbrewery – with macro appeal.

You’ve probably seen the low-slung structure along Wheeler Drive in Lawrence with the decorative brewing vat planted out front. Here, Waldman and two partners brew and pour private-label bottles and growlers of specialty suds on property once owned by the U.S. Army. “We were checking out location options elsewhere,” remembered Waldman. “But our real estate consultant kept nagging us saying, ‘You gotta try the Fort!’ So, we did, and saw exactly what we were looking for. All the logistical pieces were here, and with much more character.”

And, so it came to pass that on September 2, 2011, the Triton Brewing Company opened its doors, but only after Master Brewer Jon Lang transformed the long-empty mule (and later jeep, then race car) barn into a state-of-the-art beer-brewing business. Fermentation bubbles away in the huge finishing tanks that Lang installed. The grain and hops are milled on site. Lang, who spent time in Germany and learned to appreciate good beer, described the brewing process as physically tough, but satisfying work. Pointing to a bottle of Magnificent Amber he added, “I like saying ‘This is mine.’”

Triton employs a reverse osmosis filtration process that strips Lawrence water to its core. The microbrewery uses lots of water – 60,000 gallons a month – which brings us to the brewery’s name. “Triton was the son of Poseidon, the Greek God of the Sea. Much like our brewing process, he was all about the water,” Waldman patiently explained. “Poseidon carried a trident, a kind of three-pronged pitchfork used for spear fishing. The word trident is Latin meaning ‘three teeth.’ Our logo is a trident, as a reminder of what’s important to us.”

Director of brewing operations and co-founder Jon Lang is nationally recognized for his brewing skills.

Clearly, they’re pushing the right buttons. With five offerings including a brown, a stout, and an IPA, Triton brews about 160 barrels a day – a capacity expected to jump to 280 barrels by mid-summer. “The toughest part is no matter how much we produce, we can’t ever meet the demand,” declared Waldman.

Athena Scholl is a Triton waitress (yes, that’s really her first name, and naturally she’d work in a place steeped in Greek mythology). “We have lots of regulars – everything’s been very positive. I think it’s very cool seeing this kind of development in Lawrence.”

While Triton has a family- (and dog) friendly tasting room, its primary focus in on production and distribution. Waldman, who sports a long-ish goatee that he calls a chin mullet (“all business on the sides, and a party in front”), explained the owners’ ultimate goal is a much larger brewery with more jobs for Lawrence. “We make beer – it’s our passion. Why beer? Why not? Compared to P-B-R, craft beer is the nectar of the gods!”