Heavily damaged in an Oct. 21 fire that began when a smoldering cigarette ignited mulch on the southwest corner of the building, the Bristol Yacht Club is preparing to rise from the ashes.

In a letter to members, Commodore Ruth Souto said that, though fire damaged only part of the structure, “water, heat and smoke damaged a lot more than what is visible to the eye.” The club’s insurance company has determined that the structural integrity of the building is mostly intact, and it does not need to be torn down, but that the interior needs to be completely gutted. Demolition is currently being done by a local company, J’s Junk Removal, and is expected to take about four weeks, followed by reconstruction. No significant design changes are planned at this time.

It is estimated that the entire reconstruction of the clubhouse will take 18 months, which will impact operations through the summer of 2019.

Ms. Souto also noted that frostbite racing started last week from the waterfront and will proceed as usual, and scheduled social functions will continue throughout the year at other locations. Events have already been held and scheduled at alternate locations, including the Barrington Yacht Club, Herreshoff Marine Museum, and the Bristol Elks Club. The Commissioning, the official opening of the club’s summer season, will be held as scheduled on May 4, regardless of the condition of the clubhouse.

Reached for comment, Ms. Souto was optimistic about the club’s future and their ability to get through the summer. “We’re going to put up a tent,” she said. “Our waterfront is fully functional. We’ll make all of it happen.”

“We’re a yacht club. We know how to do summer.”