Rossford plans dredging project to assist boaters

Don Pelchat of Holland unties his boat and prepares to tow it from the Rossford Marina with some assistance from Joe Jarvis of Perrysburg.

herrallong / toledo blade

Don Pelchat of Holland unties his boat and prepares to tow it from the Rossford Marina with some assistance from Joe Jarvis of Perrysburg.

The city of Rossford is preparing for a project that will make its marina more hospitable to boaters.

The city has authorized $178,880 for dredging at the Rossford Marina at Veterans Memorial Park.

Depth levels have decreased at the facility since it was developed in the 1960s, city Administrator Ed Ciecka said.

"There's a tendency for boats to rest on the bottom, which is not a good thing for boats," he said.

Don Pelchat of Holland unties his boat and prepares to tow it from the Rossford Marina with some assistance from Joe Jarvis of Perrysburg.

Work will begin shortly after the marina closes for the season Sunday and is expected to be completed by Nov. 14, he said.

About 5,900 cubic yards of material will be removed, said Bill Schultz, an engineer with Bowser-Morner Inc., which is doing the engineering work on the project.

"It will make it safer for the boaters to get in and out of the marina," Mr. Schultz said. "It makes it easier to maneuver in the docks."

The work will be undertaken with the help of a $137,922 grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The remaining funds will be drawn from the city's marina fund, which is supported by docking fees.

Boaters who dock at the Rossford Marina will be a lot less likely to scrape bottom during the boating season next year.

The marina has a capacity for about 250 boats. About 100 boats are moored at the facility, Mr. Ciecka said. City officials hope the improvements will improve occupancy rates, he said.

The George Gradel Co. of Toledo won the bid as contractor for the project.

The public marina is at 300 Hannum Ave.