New sailing center aims to reconnect East Side with Lake Erie

• A state-of-the-art center will be the centerpiece attraction in Metroparks' ongoing East Side harbor redevelopment efforts.

State of play: Officials from Metroparks and Cuyahoga County, alongside corporate and philanthropic donors, broke ground Friday on the $18.5 million facility set to open in 2026.

When complete, it'll consist of two main buildings:

• A two-story, 24,000-square-foot multipurpose space with meeting rooms, a store and a restaurant;
• A 4,000-square-foot boathouse — the "sailing hub," with storage and classroom space.

Zoom in: The center will be named for Patrick S. Parker, the deceased former chairman and CEO of Parker Hannifin, who was an avid sailor.

• The sailing school will be named for Charlie Britton, a friend and contemporary of Parker's who founded the world's first fiberglass ship manufacturer in Ohio, Tartan Marine.

What they're saying: Speakers at Friday's event stressed that the sailing center will be the first of its kind on Lake Erie and provide both educational and recreational opportunities for children.

• "We are breaking down physical, economic and social barriers to enhance the quality of life for our region, particularly in our neighborhoods closest to the lakefront, who have been historically disconnected," said Mandel Foundation CEO Jehuda Reinharz in a statement.

Between the sails: Year-round boating programming for schools and community organizations will be led by The Cleveland Foundry.

Zoom out: County Executive Chris Ronayne credited the surge in Cleveland's waterfront development largely to Zimmerman's leadership.

What's next: The center should open at around the same time as the Mandel Community Bike Trail, the 2.7-mile separated bike trail connecting downtown to the East 55th Street Marina.