Mooring slips needed in Lake Country Lake Simcoe marinas turning away boaters

Mooring slips needed in Lake Country Lake Simcoe marinas turning away boaters

Finding a place to dock in Orillia and area hasn't been easy for boaters recently. With some marina properties undergoing condominium development, resulting in a reduction of slips in the area, other marinas have had to turn boaters away or refer them elsewhere. "There is a shortage with marinas closing up on the lake," said Steve Clark, owner of Blue Beacon Marina at The Narrows. "It's put a demand on slips on Lake Simcoe." Of the 85 slips at Blue Beacon, only four are available - for long-term stays only.
"I can't take (transient clients) because, if I have a boat there, I'm turning down a yearlong client," Clark said. Clark has been referring boaters to the Port of Orillia for temporary tie-up. Orchard Point Marina, just across the lake from Blue Beacon, isn't renting slips while condo development begins on the property, said developer Ron Sattler. Orchard Point once had 55 slips available. Crothers Twin Lakes Marina is completely full, reported co-owner Cindy Crothers. All 99 slips are occupied, mostly by year-round clients. "It's crazy, but it's awesome for us. I could build a bunch of slips and still sell them," she said, adding such an addition is not in the plans. The harbourmaster at the Port of Orillia was pleased to hear of referrals from other marinas. The port has the room, as only transient slips are rented there. "We have not heard of any plans for seasonal slips at the Port of Orillia," Susan Lang said. "It's not set up for that." Across the bridge on Lake Couchiching, Ojibway Bay Marina is "pretty much full right now." Of the marina's 150 slips, most are seasonal, and none were available late last week, said manager Steve Sanderson. Marina operators also suspect some of the increased local business is a result of the proposed resort development at Big Bay Point Marina in Innisfil.