Boaters whose boat is anchored at the Lachine Marina are unhappy with its imminent closure.
The Plante administration decided to close the marina at the end of the summer. The City will invest $ 20 million to transform the point into a park.
Members of the Lachine Marina Marina Association are appalled by this decision.
–
–
They argue that the marina brings significant economic benefits for traders in the surrounding area.
“We first made estimates of around 10 million for the economic spinoffs. We are talking about direct and indirect spinoffs. We surveyed our members and then, as a direct impact, we can say that we have at least 5 million direct impacts, ”says Josée Côté, spokesperson for the Association.
The mayoress of the borough of Lachine, Maja Vodanovic, is skeptical of these amounts advanced.
“Tell me about the economic spinoffs of $ 10 million. I couldn’t find their $ 10 million study. What I have found, however, is that a boat owner will put $ 10,000 and $ 12,000 into his boat. Then he will also give thousands of dollars in gasoline for his boat, ”she replies.
Ms. Vodanovic mentions that an investment of $ 16.5 million would be required to maintain the facilities.
“Right now, the septic tank, we have to go pumping every day. We pump public money, so that it doesn’t go into the lake, ”she says.
For its part, the Association des Plaisanceiers du Port de Plaisance de Lachine believes that this amount could be less.
–
–
“We think it can cost less than that and that there are things that are probably not necessary in that. And that certain installations, if they want to carry out their park project, they will have to put them in order anyway, ”criticizes Ms. Côté.
According to the latter, boaters even say they are ready to pay more to stay in the marina.
“They are open to paying more docking fees and they are also open, too, to contribute to a fund for the upgrade,” she said.
–
