Chebogue River Aquatic Club improvements underway
MoY councillors encourage boat club to partner with YASTA
The “Greatest Little Boat Club on the River” wants more people to know about it and is improving its property to attract them.
Representatives from the facility, known locally as the Chebogue River Aquatic Club, made a presentation to the Municipality of Yarmouth (MoY) committee of the whole meeting on April 11.
Brigitte Deveau and Larry Boudreau provided an update on the first part of a two-phase renovation project that was completed last year.
An unsafe deck was removed and an awning was installed above a patio area, siding was replaced on the end of the building and a new emergency exit from upper floor was installed.
A new picnic area was also started, to encourage the public to use the Chebogue River as a recreational area and part of a walkway was installed. The club purchased a half dozen picnic tables and a couple of benches and added new signage.
The total cost of phase one was $5,695. Yarmouth Municipality provided a grant of $2,500.
This year, the club is requesting a grant of $3,500 from MoY towards the $5,500 estimated cost of completing phase two upgrades.
This includes completion of the concrete patio, upgrades to exterior lighting, a visitor observation deck with seating area and completion of the picnic area.
The councillors had several questions and comments after the presentation.
Councillors Patti Durkee and Trevor Cunningham suggested the club partner with Yarmouth and A new picnic area has been installed to encourage public use of the Chebogue River as a recreational area. Acadian Shores Tourism Association.
“I noticed a lot of people who come across on the Cat are towing boats (with their vehicles),” said Cunningham.
“I know there’s lots of places to put boats in, but that’s a nice place you’ve got there. It’s a real asset in being able to attract people to our area, boaters and such. “Maybe we could work together with Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association to point a few more folks to your area,” he said.
Deveau says she would like to see pamphlets for the club printed.
“We’re trying to get it out there that we are accessible to the public.”
“It is a hidden gem in the area,” she added.
The club has traditionally held a fundraising supper with entertainment in May and is looking at other ways to fundraise. The main source of revenue is through sponsorship, dues and berthage costs. A walk way that was partially built in 2017 is scheduled for completion this year. It will be extended further out and a landing will be added with benches so visitors can enjoy the view up and down the river. A new awning replaces a rotten deck at the Chebogue River Aquatic Club. A concrete patio and new siding was added, as well as a new fire escape from the upper floor.