Artist drawing showing the marina moorage and overall development of the once-industrial area across the Fraser River from YVR Northlands.
For Sea Island workers and Burkeville residents it’s not always about airports and aviation. For those with an interest in open water, there is a new marina development launching this fall.
The facility, appropriately called Milltown Marina, is currently taking shape at the foot of Bentley Street just off Granville and SW Marine Drive in the historic Milltown area.
One-hundred-and-ten supporting pilings have been driven into the riverbed and hundreds of metres of concrete docks are being positioned to accommodate 224 in-water moorage slips for vessels ranging from nine metres up to 24 metres in length.
A dry stack-covered storage facility with unlimited haul-in, haul-out privileges that will accommodate powerboats up to nine metres will be ready for occupancy by November 2013.
Developed by Musqueam Capital Corporation, Bastion Development Corporation and Vancouver-born, commercially licensed yacht Captain Matthew Cote, the new facilities will include ample parking with bicycle racks, an onsite marine maintenance and repair facility, yacht brokerage services, electronic security gate gangway, two waterfront observation platforms overlooking the Fraser River that will include a public picnic area, plus an on -site café and a westcoast-style restaurant, to be called the Milltown Bar & Grill.
“The Milltown Marina will provide local residents with increased opportunities to engage with the Fraser River, one of the most prominent and important environmental features of our region, not to mention adding a great amenity to the Marpole neighbourhood,” said Cote. “The project partners are committed to integrating design concepts to highlight, promote and preserve Musqueam and Coast Salish culture and traditions. Milltown Marina will be an important gathering place where visitors will feel welcome, informed and engaged.”
The marina location has the added navigational advantage of clear access to the Georgia Strait 9.6-kilometres downstream, with no bridges or commercial piers.
Marina reservations manager Andrew Cote is keen to show off the development plans and is holding an open house 11am – 7pm on weekends and Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 3:30pm – 7pm.
Call 604.731.3500 ext 236 for inquiries or for more details, or visit milltownmarina.com.
