Ayer’s Cliff loses marina
boat launches and he also purchased a number of pontoons and other types of boats for rental.
Marcotte partnered in the initiative with environmental group Everblue (Bleu) Massawippi, although the organization took no financial stake in the operation.
According to Marcotte, when contract negotiations began with the régie, presided by Ayer’s Cliff Mayor Vincent Gérin, the terms were untenable.
“They just tried to get as much as they could,” Marcotte said. Because it is uncertain whether pontoon rentals would be permitted this summer because of COVID-19 safety measures, Marcotte said he would be guaranteed to lose money if he gave up parking and boat launch revenues, adding that with a one-year contract there was no guarantee he could recuperate the following year.
Marcotte removed everything from the beachfront last week and has started liquidating.
His boats are in the yard at Marina Marcotte, a family business. “I’ve already sold four,” he said. The boat slips are also for sale, Marcotte said.
Marcotte said ultimately the marina and the régie could not come to an agreement to satisfy both parties, adding that the pandemic stalled negotiations for some time. When presented last week with a final take it or leave it offer and around an hour to accept it, Marcotte opted to leave.
Ayer’s Cliff Mayor and President of La régie du Parc régional Massawippi Vincent Gérin agreed the situation is unfortunate for citizens affected by the departure of the marina.
“We could not come to an agreement,” Gérin said, “we did more than we should have done to have it there this summer. It didn’t work.”
According to Gérin, the régie is planning a major investment on the property in the coming years, which accounts for the hesitation for a long-term contract. “We didn’t want our hands tied and block our global vision,” Gérin said, which includes sanitary blocks, changing rooms, a gazebo and picnic tables. The plan could include reconfiguring the set up and the size and placement of the boat launches, he explained.
Gérin confirmed part of the new deal involved taking over the boat launch and parking.
Things got close a few times, Gérin said. At one point the régie was prepared to accept an offer from Marcotte, but for one year instead of three. Gérin added that the contract would have included a right of first refusal for contracts in following years.
The last proposal, according to
Gérin, asked that Marcotte leave his 35 boat slips and two boat launches with a written guarantee the régie would purchase the two launching docks at the end of the summer. In exchange, Marcotte could house his boat slips rent free in exchange for lawn maintenance at the beachfront. After some back and forth, Gérin said Marcotte added a last-minute stipulation regarding insurance costs that the régie refused.
“We went as far as we could. He had the marina at no cost, just mowing the lawn. He decided to leave,” Gérin said.
The loss of the marina hit locals hard. On Monday a petition, signed by 970 people was presented to the régie and Ayer’s Cliff council members asking, for the benefit of locals and visitors, that the régie go back to the negotiating table with Marcotte to find a solution so the marina can return to the beachfront.