Work on new marina wrapping up

GARRISON, N.D. (AP) — Construction is ending on a long-delayed marina at Fort Stevenson State Park on Lake Sakakawea.

Workers are expected to wrap up finishing touches by early next week. Concessionaire Carey Gieser, who operated the old marina at the park this summer, is to begin moving to the new marina over the next several weeks.

Park Manager Dick Messerly said the new marina will be useable shortly after ice-out next spring. If water levels remain high, the old marina might also be usable next year. The old marina has a higher floor than the new one and had been plagued by record-low lake levels in recent years.

Groundbreaking for the new marina was held in November 2007, and construction was to wrap up in October 2008. The project was dogged by rapidly rising water and the firing of a contractor earlier this year.

Messerly said the marina will be ready by next Memorial Day.

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