less than 12 months. As the land settled, the surcharge was increased, and today the original pond surface is down 18 feet. The material excavated to make the basin was designed to create the uplands portion of the site (600,000 cubic yards), yielding a 26-acre basin and 24 acres of uplands. As a result, no excavated or dredged material needed disposal. "I'm an environmentalist as well as active sailor," Sanders said. "The cheap, easy way to build a marina is to build docks into the bay. Add an office and parking lot and you're in business. The better way is to repurpose a toxic pond, adding 26 acres of new bay surface and a great deal of public access for thousands to the water, where there was none." The excavation was complete in 2006 on New Year's Eve. Starting at high tide at 1 a.m., excavators began digging what would become the entrance to the marina. As the tide went out the opening became wider and deeper, and as the tide turned, the marina filled in a few hours. The innovations at Westpoint Harbor continued with the infrastructure from the very beginning. This included a slip mix that catered to larger vessels 35 to 120 feet. Most of the marinas in the area were built in the 1960s and catered to small vessels. Sanders knew big boats would come, if boaters had a place to put them. And he was right. The floating concrete docks, built by Bellingham Marine, include rounded finger piers and pumpouts at every slip. "This is becoming more popular now," Sanders said. "But in 2003, it seemed like a crazy idea."
Operation
The marina opened in 2008 and has continued building and expanding since then. The original development included fourteen docks with 416 wet slips, two service docks and a special low-freeboard rower's dock. Initial construction included the harbormaster's office, boat launch, streets and parking areas and landscaping. The second phase of the project included dry storage, storage lockers, a full-service boatyard and youth sailing facilities. This spring new fuel docks will be installed, and expanded storage facilities too. The third and final phase for future development will include a retail area and other mixed-use waterfront facilities, including a restaurant, yacht club, coffee shop, chandlery, yacht sales offices, a rowing and paddling center, boutique hotel and more. A 1,000-foot boardwalk with large decks overlooking the water will support other marine-oriented businesses, and a 1,000-foot guest dock offers ample room for visiting boats and charter vessels too. Sanders oversees the development of the facility with three part-time harbormasters that run dock and office operations. For his managers, Sanders sought experience and good judgment. He found a number of seasoned business professionals, who weren't ready to retire and wanted to work two or three days a week. "They bring far more to the table than is typical," Sanders said. "They communicate well, are very experienced, and essentially run the daily operations. I get to watch from the sidelines."
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Marina Dock Age April 2019 9
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