CLEVELAND — The Patrick S. Parker Sailing Center has officially opened its doors.

“We want them to be able to literally touch the water, get on the water, see incredible views of both the lake and also the skyline,” said Jacqueline Lapine, the communication director for the Cleveland Metroparks.

The center will offer new sailing programs run by local nonprofit The Foundry and features a restaurant named The Galley that has indoor and outdoor seating. 

“We’re really excited to now offer a year-round dining experience right here on the waterfront,” Lapine said. 

The restaurant is open from Wednesday through Sunday and offers a special brunch menu on the weekends. 

“Being on the shores of Lake Erie: walleye, Lake Erie yellow perch. Those are important pieces of what we have here in Cleveland,” said Jarrod McCarthy, director of Enterprise for the Cleveland Metroparks.

In addition to serving local fish, McCarthy says the menu is inspired by the Midwest, with barbeque items made in the kitchen’s smoker.

Their signature Bloody Mary is to be offered during a weekend brunch. 

“Cheeseburger sliders, chicken and waffles. This is our smoke sausage trio from our smokehouse and a mini version of our giant pretzel,” McCarthy said.

The center has an educational space, event rooms that will be available to rent, and an upstairs patio where people can see views of both downtown and Lake Erie. Sailing programs are set to launch out of the center with Cleveland Metroparks finishing constructing on a nearby boathouse. 

“We’re wrapping construction right now on the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel boathouse, and that will be home to the Charlie Britton school of sailing,” Lapine said. 

The new center aims to increase access people have to sailing on Lake Erie. 

“We’re looking forward to having a couple of sailing simulators. We have a nice classroom that year-round education can take place,” Lapine said. 

The center is located near the East 55th Marina and features opportunities for people to sail in, dock, and check out the new building. Lapine says the new center is part of Cleveland’s push to create more access to the waterfront. 

“We’re excited to see people get on the water, get close to the water, and just be able to connect with our waterfront and lakefront and really grow Cleveland as a waterfront city and destination,” Lapine said.

The new sailing center is open from 11 a.m. to 9p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday and from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.