Huntsville has brand new docking facilities on the Muskoka River and more space for boats than ever before.
“They look fantastic,” noted Steve Hernen, the Town’s director of operations and protective services.
This year the Town issued an RFP for the replacement of the weathered floating pods on the River Mill Park side of the Town Docks and local dock builder Pipefusion Services Inc. won the bid.
“Pipefusion came in with an amazing offer for us. One, they were low bid on replacing the pods on the far end. Two, they said they would replace all the other finger docks that we have there with a better, wider dock free of charge—there’s like $100,000 worth of docks they basically gave the town,” noted Hernen. “Bottom line is they didn’t like the other docks, they thought they were poorly made, and with them being a dock builder in Huntsville, and wanting to give back to Huntsville, they wanted them to look spectacular because it’s advertisement for them.”
The docks have been extended about another 12 feet with approval from Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The floating pods have also been extended out and the ability to moor four more boats has been added to each side, explained Hernen.
The eight finger docks are also longer and wider and will be able to accommodate bigger boats. They’re wider at eight feet and approximately 20 feet long. “And then you’ve got a walking ramp to it so you can easily take a 26 or 28-foot boat, no problem, sticking out a bit at the back. No issues at all.”
There will also be room for a tour boat. Hernen said tour boat operator Steve Wylie has indicated his interest in returning to Huntsville next year but this time with an open top boat. “He says that’s what he felt he needed, something open so people could feel the breeze.”
As for the new public docks by Pipefusion, “we’re extremely pleased with the work they did,” said Hernen. “They did the bridge and the floating trail [extension on Hunters Bay]for us too and once again they were well below tender. They wanted their name on the products.”
Related story: Town Dock to get four new boat parking spaces, new finger slips at more than $50,000 less than budgeted cost
Don’t miss out on Doppler!
Sign up here to receive our email digest with links to our most recent stories.
Local news in your inbox three times per week!
Click here to support local news
Henk Rietveld says
Wonderful! NyDock continues to be such a great part of the community!
Elizabeth Rice says
Thank you Pipefusion for your continued support of Huntsville. You are a huge asset to this community.
Ginger Barkey says
Yes thank you for these additional parking spaces. Brings people to the water and now provides a great spot too for dining amidst the food trucks.
June Banks says
Thank you to Pipefusion, it is great to see our very successful businesses giving back to our town.
Lesley hastie says
Thank you on behalf of all boaters. You make a superb product.
Rob Millman says
I checked my dictionary recently under corporate citizen, great: (and found) Pipe Fusion’s logo. Kudos!
Catherine Clail says
Fantastic NyDock! Not only more docking space, but classy, professional look to the waterfront! Great to see this kind of teamwork between town and local business.
J. R. Bruce Cassie says
Steve Hernen is correct: the docks look great!
What a community-minded gesture Pipefusion has made. Literally hundreds of people will be accessing these docks this summer and many, many more will be viewing this part of our downtown scenery, amazed at the upgrading of our waterfront. Made in Huntsville for Huntsville and friends… it doesn’t get any better than this.
Murray Christenson says
These folks do great work
Stella Watson says
Stella Watson
Penn Lake – Huntsville Ontario
Yes, a very magnanimous gift to the community.Thank you from all the Penn
Lake residents.
Don McCormick says
A wonderful and generous addition to the Town docks. Thank you Jan and Pipefusion