Marina Revitalization

The Rossport Marina has completed another phase of the Marina Revitalization Initiative.  The obsolete fuel tanks, fuel dispensers and fuel lines attached to the dock have been removed and disposed of in accordance with the specified requirements for such equipment.  The next phase of the Revitalization Initiative is now underway which commences with the selection of a contractor who will be engaged to:

• • demolish and remove the east-west portion of the existing dock, 

  • stabilize the north-south portion of the existing dock, 

  • stabilize the platform that supports the Marina Office, and

  • repair/replace the existing boat launch infrastructure.

Commencing December 5, 2024, a major piece of the Rossport Marina revitalization work will begin, with the removal of obsolete fuel tanks, dock fuel lines and fuel dispensers.  This work will take approximately 5 days, and the Marina property will be closed to the public from December 4-10, 2024.  

Rossport Marina is one of the few deep-water, protected harbours along the north shore of Lake Superior.  It is located within the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area and is an important destination for boaters and ecotourists.

In 2021, the Rossport Marina Revitalization Project was initiated due to aging marina infrastructure.  The dock itself is over 60 years old and is in significant disrepair.  Since 2021, the Board of Rossport Marina has completed steps to move the revitalization process forward.

A Strategic Scoping plan brought community members and other stakeholders together in 2021 to identify priorities for the Marina.  First among those was the replacement of aging infrastructure.  In 2022, a structural assessment of the dock noted that the dock was “beyond its useful life” and needed either significant remediation or replacement.    A Marina Asset Management plan completed in 2023 provided two options for dock replacement which incorporated feedback from community members, stakeholders and the Rossport Marina Board.

Overview

In 2021, the Rossport Marina Dock had deteriorated to such a degree that it was in very poor shape.  Marina Board members and local residents expressed significant concern over the state of the dock.  The Marina Board developed and approved Terms of Reference for a Marina Revitalization committee in June 2021 to guide the revitalization process for the Marina.  

The following provides information about the steps and progress of the Marina Revitalization Project:

Stage 1

Began in 2021 with a Strategic Scoping plan which created a roadmap that would guide the committee

in the sustainable development of the Marina.  Using a grassroots approach, there was a community

meeting in summer of 2021 that included residents of Rossport, Nicol Island and Pays Plat.

Stakeholders, tourism operators and potential partners were also involved.

Stage 2

A Structural Engineering assessment of the dock was completed by JML Engineering Ltd. over the fall of 2021

and spring 2022.  The report concluded that: “The Dock has reached the end of it’s useful life and needs

significant rehabilitation or replacement.”  The assessment resulted in the closing and roping off of the

east-west section of the dock to prevent docking in that area.

Stage 3 (a) Completed March 2023

Marina Asset Management Plan (MAMP) – FormStudioArchitects

The study included an assessment of existing assets and infrastructure and, through consultation with

stakeholders, a conceptual plan for two options for rebuilding the existing dock.  The first option is to

rebuild on the existing footprint, and the second option proposes a new rectilinear plan offering 95

linear meters of dock, expandable to 163 linear meters with optional floating finger docks.  The Base

Concept includes the development of the new dock options, along with a new dock space for small

fishing boats or kayak launching.

The Base Concept includes the renovation of the existing 61 square meter marina service building with an office and

waiting area, a multi-purpose space, a storage room for the marina and to continue existing space for

the fire department.  It also includes 52 square meters of a new covered outdoor picnicking area and the installation

of fuel tanks and service.

Stage 3 (b) Completed Dec 2023

Strategic Plan - Karen Jones Consulting Inc.

The goal of the Plan is to provide a sustainable model to guide the growth of Rossport Marina in a

multi-faceted approach.  The plan serves as a road map and articulates the vision, mission and core

values of the Rossport Harbour Marina as a non-profit entity.  Key aspects inclusive of priorities areas,

goals and actions that align with operations, infrastructure, wayfinding, visitor experiences, product

development, financial sustainability and marketing have been created.

Stage 4 Survey – Completed November 2023

As recommended in the MAMP, an accurate survey was required to complete any detailed plans for

potential dock reconstruction.

Phase 1 Capital Project Costing – Completed November 2023 – Just over $500,000

To address the priority items identified in the structural assessment

• Environmental Protection

• Remove the east/west leg of the dock down to the lakebed

• Stabilize the north/south section of the dock

• Underpin the dock building

• Repair the boat launch area

• Remove the gas/diesel tanks from the shoreline

• Funding Applications – In progress

Phase 1

2 applications submitted to FedNor and NOHFC.  We are awaiting feedback on the funding.  If

approved, the work will begin in fall 2024 with completion expected by June 2025.

For those that could not attend the Annual General Meeting to hear the update, you have not received information on our progress.  

As you know, the initial project plan included:

• • Removal of the east-west dock section,

  • Stabilize the north-south section,

  • Underpin the building,

  • Fix the boat launch, and

  • Replace the retaining wall on the east side of the launch. 

We received the final funding approval in early February.  Requests for tender went out in March and information sessions were held with three contracting firms.  Out of these sessions came the realization that the Board would need outside assistance for tasks related to the revitalization project.  JML Engineering Ltd. was hired to complete the design drawings for the project and to manage the tendering process and permit applications.

Two tenders were received at the end of May and both were significantly higher than the grant monies allowed.  The Board met to look at options and after much discussion decided that putting almost a million dollars into a project which was at best a temporary solution was not the best use of taxpayer dollars.  We could not just remove the east-west dock section without stabilizing the north-south leg and there was not enough dollars to do both.  The overarching goal is to replace the dock.

June and July have been busy months meeting with funders to look at options moving forward.  The Board looked within the approved project scope (points above) for items that could utilize those approved dollars, and we were encouraged by funders to identify projects within the grants that we can complete.

The launch area was identified as a priority, as well as the pre-design work necessary for a new dock.  We gathered cost estimates for the launch and for a pre-design study and geotechnical analysis of the lakebed (these are required steps for the fixed and hybrid options) and a wind/wave study (for floating docks).  The Board has decided to look at three options for a new marina – fixed dock, floating dock and slips and a hybrid mix of fixed dock and floating slips and will gather all the information before a decision is made for a new dock.

We have received approval from two of the three funding agencies for the revised project and are awaiting approval from the remaining one before we proceed.  It is hoped that the work can happen in October of this year, pending approvals from the Ministry of Environment.