2021-09-01

Boaters soon to have new NS marina

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

COUNTRY HARBOUR – The Salsman Marina Park project in Country Harbour in the Municipality of the District of Guysborough (MODG) is well underway. This fall, the 12-berth marina should be ready to welcome guests and become an additional attraction in the area.

MODG Warden Vernon Pitts said the marina was a perfect fit for the community, "You have Salsman Provincial Park there, plus you have Tate's campground up the road, you have a couple of stores ... I think it is going to be good for everyone."

And that thinking is what led the MODG to take over the proposed project, which was having trouble getting off the ground. Pitts said the Salsman Park Marina Association, "Tried to carry the ball forward in regard to permitting and construction and they weren't getting too much movement from the province in regard to applications for water leases. Rather than have the project fall off to the side and not be done, the municipality, we decided to step in and do it. We will do it 100 per cent."

The tender for the project was awarded to Balodis Construction at the May 19 council meeting at $527,474, plus HST.

In June, MODG staff were onsite to complete rough grading of the site and remove some surplus fill prior to the contractor beginning their construction work. The floating docks for the marina are under construction offsite and Balodis employees are now on-site making headway on construction.

While the municipality will own the marina, Pitts said it's expected that the marina association will manage it, "Or, at least, that's what we're thinking. We'll meet with them in another month or so."

Meanwhile, construction continues.

"Guysborough Journal"