New Marina Planned for New Town

Water lovers take note A plan is in the works in the New Town area that will bring back an attraction that has been gone for years A marina usable in times of high water and low It s a big dream but it is in the process of coming true Perry Olson has the story Perry Olson - KX News It is gorgeous land and Gerry Aftem envisions this land offering something more very soon Gerald Aftem - Marina Developer Our vision is the get a new marina put into the area so that we have access at both high and low water levels Perry Olson - KX News That new marina would look a little something like this located to the north of the 4 Bears Bridge on the east side of Sakakawea It would replace an old marina which fell victim to the low water years ago Gerald Aftem The New Town Marina which we ve had for years has been high and dry so it is time to look for new ideas to bring back what we had Perry Olson - KX News Bring back what they had just bring it back better This new marina would be built with low water in mind Gerald Aftem At our low water years we would have about 125 boat berths and at high water years it would be more than that well into the 200 range It would be a super marina - Houston Engineering We just took Gerry s idea and put it to paper Perry Olson - KX News Houston Engineering out of Bismarck has drawn up these plans for the land while others are trying to make it a reality but it will take time with environmental studies having to be completed which could take about 24 months and funding secured Michael Gunsch Houston Engineering At the end of that two year period or at 18 months the Congressional delegation will hear a pitch for specific funding because this is something a local individual or community won t be able to fund Gerry As you look to the state you see there were 1800 more campers registered in the state last year Those people need a place to go It is an expanding business in North Dakota Gunsch This one is located basically to the west and in the middle of Dickinson Williston Minot and Bismarck Gerry I think everyone realizes it is time to move on and quit chasing the water It is time to build facilities we can use now and through 2050 and on Perry Olson - KX News Land development is already happening and has been since 1998 with homes popping up all around homes that could soon be next to lake access like this area hasn t seen in quite some time Perry Olson KX News So when would this marina be up and running If all goes well with the studies and funding over the next two years it would take about another year for the marina to be ready for use The price tag for the marina phase of the project would be between 20 and 25 million dollars Further expansion around the site could push it to near 30 million