It appears the external word is spreading about Trent Port Marina, but there may be some apathy among local boaters.
Quinte News requested the numbers from the City of Quinte West in regards to how the world-class facility is being utilized.
The marina is being closely watched for a number of reasons.
It helps generate revenue for local businesses and the region.
It can be used year round as a rental space, so although summer is when it is used most, the building is a year-round facility.
The building, amenities, slips, and view are world class, but the project has been very expensive for taxpayers.
It opened in June 2016 at a cost of $13,000,000.
The owners of the land are Eben James Sr. and his son, Eben Jr., who leased the land to the municipality for $2 annually.
Even after user fees are included, the marina has never made money.
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Without taking into account the capital cost to build the facility, the operations costs do not break even either.
For boat usage, there are 375 slips.
One hundred are what are known as transient boat slips, temporary spaces at the marina for short-term use, such as overnight, or a few days.
In 2023, there were 829 reservations, 872 in 2024, and this year (t0 date) 892.
That means over two years there has been a 7.5-per cent increase.
Two-hundred-seventy-five slips are seasonal slips at Trent Port Marina.
Seasonal slips are rented for an entire boating season.
In 2023, there were 201 reservations, 184 in 2024, and this year 166.
That means over two years there has been a 21-per cent decrease.
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Work is continuing on a new breakwall for the marina, with a tender price of pushing towards $6 million.
The south and east breakwater replacements are complete.
The north breakwater has arrived at the staging area in Centennial Park, and installation of this final section remains on schedule to be completed in November.
Image: Trent Port Marina breakwall, winter 2022-23. (From City of Quinte West 2024 Budget Book)
