Ten years ago the Stonington Harbor Yacht Club Sailing Foundation began with "a dream and 14 kids."

This year, the recently renamed New England Science & Sailing, boasts programs in marine science, sailing and adventure sports such as surfing that have attracted 1,200 people from age 4 to adults.

Fifteen percent of the children who participate in NESS programs receive scholarships, which it says gives children who wouldn't normally have a chance to get out on the water the opportunity to do so.

With its summer use peaking, NESS is looking to make its programs more of a year-round offering, especially for school districts. The organization now has seven full-time employees along with 22 part-time and seasonal workers.

With this growth also comes the need for physical expansion. The nonprofit organization has recently renovated one of its three buildings at 70-72 Water St. in the borough to include a marine science lab, bathrooms, a conference room, offices, small kitchen and a large classroom full of fish tanks, murals and charts.

Meanwhile NESS officials are currently talking to residents as they seek state, local and federal approvals for a dock expansion, as well as renovations to two other buildings to house boats, equipment and classroom space.

“We need and want community input into our plans," stressed NESS president Spike Lobdell. "We want the community to be part of this. We want Stonington to say this is a great resource."

The 180-foot extension of the existing 180-foot dock would create space for 10 transient boats, as wells as floating docks for NESS's fleet of 100 boats and watercraft. Sixty-feet of the expansion would be for a handicap-accessible ramp. The extended pier would not extend as far out into Stonington Harbor as the adjacent dock at Skipper's Dock.

Currently the boats are launched each day primarily using one ramp. The expansion, Lobdell said, will make it quicker and easier to launch the boats, giving students more time on the water. NESS is seeking a federal grant to help pay for part of the dock work.

Some residents have expressed concern about the length of the dock and the initial plan to construct it with concrete which they worry could cause damage in a hurricane.

Lobdell said he understands the concerns but no decisions have been made yet. The state DEEP and Army Corps of Engineers both have to review the plan and grant approval before any work can commence.

Lobdell said NESS will integrate public comments into its plans so it can work for everyone. He said the idea of NESS from its beginning has been to make it an inclusive place where people without boats or access to the ocean can learn to sail or discover the local marine environment.

It also is aligning its educational programs with federal standards for science, technology and math education. NESS is also one of 13 community sailing centers across the country certified by US Sailing.

NESS is also in the midst of a three-year, $3-million capital campaign to complete its renovations, create an endowment and pay off debt. Last year, NESS purchased the harborfront property and its three buildings for $2.7 million from the Mohegan Tribe, which had used the site for an aquaculture operation. Before that it had housed Garbo Lobster which is now in Groton.

"We still have a long way to go with this," Lobdell said about the project and fundraising.

J.WOJTAS@THEDAY.COM