Association Vice President Hollis Yetman said the new facilities will speed up the process of getting a boat in the water, whereas there are now two launch pads and a wharf where passengers and supplies can be loaded.
Mr. Yetman said the community response to the association’s call for support has been overwhelming.
The Association has seen more than 50 volunteers come out and help. The community has also been receptive to donation requests.
“Our volunteers canvassed local contractors and asked for donations of a few pieces of lumber. Everyone gave at least 20 pieces.”
That was enough to construct the newest facility for boating in Happy Valley-Goose Bay—the wharf connecting boaters to new floating docks.
In just two weeks handfuls of volunteers worked tireless hours in rain and shine (and extreme heat) to get the work completed.
The Hunting and Fishing Association took on improvements to the local boating facility after the second of two docks in the area were cut off from public usage because of damage. The only concrete boat launch was also cracked.
Mr. Yetman told the Labradorian earlier this month that the association had hoped to begin repairs early in the summer but they could not get the rights to the land until the provincial government approved their proposal.
Once the proposal was approved, the association moved fast—they acquired a lottery licence and purchased a rubber dingy and motor to sell tickets on to raise money for the project. Aside from this money raised, Mr. Yetman said plenty of people have donated funds to the cause or offered their time.
Mr. Yetman said the project is widely supported because so many people use the facility.
“There were seven or eight groups of people launching their boats while we were laying the concrete. The triple four squadron also came along, so a lot of people are happy to see the work being done,” he said.
The association initially hoped to first begin work on fixing the broken launch pad and putting in a new one. The cost was estimated at $10-12,000.
Earlier this month they had not yet made an estimate for the cost of floating docks. Help came a little early when Air Labrador president Phillip Earle donated five used floating docks to the project. After some repair work, the docks were soon connected and floating.
Last week, volunteers finished laying the last of the concrete for the second launch pad. Innu Mikun/Pal paid for the remaining concrete.
Mr. Yetman said the association is hoping to put up some signage with guidelines for users to make sure the facilities are at their most efficient.
For the most part, he said, they want to stress being respectful of other boaters and not loading on the launch pad, using the garbage receptacles provided in the area and not obstructing other vehicles when parking.
The Association has big plans for the area and somewhere down the road they also hope to have access to the area close to the former (and now condemned) coast guard dock to build a marina.
For now, the group is focusing on the task at hand—the current boating facilities and making the leisure activity that much more enjoyable for local boaters.
