New Hamilton West Marina opens

Jan 10, 2016

CY Publisher Greg Nicoll congratulates Kelly Flood,Marina Manager of Harbour West Marina at the official launch. Photo credit Katherine Stone

The great partnership with the Hamilton Port Authority and the City of Hamilton have come together to help boating in Hamilton, help the city use the waterfront and attract economic development in the area. In mid-December the new 40,000 sq. ft. indoor maintenance/storage facility at Harbour West Marina was officially opened in Hamilton at Pier 8.

Some highlights:
– Hamilton Port Authority/Hamilton Harbour Commission has been in marina business for more than 70 years
– The recreational component came to life back in 1938 when a public marina and dockyard were opened at the foot of James Street
– In early 1950s an old roller rink building from Hamilton mountain was resurrected at Pier 7 which became the new shop to service vessels and support Port maintenance
– In 1975 a new marina was built – a slip expansion and front office expansion took place in the mid 1990s
– Customers who used the indoor boat storage (constructed in 1911) needed to tarp their boats because the roof leaked
– HPA continued to manage both the marina and surrounding Pier 7 and 8 lands on a long term lease after the ownership of the lands and facilities was transferred to the City of Hamilton in 2000
– In 2014 a deal was reached with the City to break the lease and move the maintenance and boat storage operation to facilitate the City’s Pier 8 development plans
– New facilities consist of:
– 40000 sq. ft. of indoor in-floor heated storage (presently full with boats on the waiting list)
– New office and reception area
– Dual Marine lift piers
– 80t Marine lift
– 50t Marine lift
– 60t self-propelled marine trailer
– 20t marine trailer
– Dedicated environmental wash bay
– Floating docks
– Paved outdoor storage that accommodates over 400 vessels
– The new facility has areas for welding, fabrication, vehicle maintenance, wood working and storage, a lunchroom, computer room, washrooms, change rooms and a training room.
– The port consists of 600 acres of land, over two million square feet of warehouse space, 13 kilometres of railroad track, roads, sidewalks and various other infrastructures which to be maintained
– The Harbour West team of twelve employees help maintain the port

Harbour West Marina
605 James Street North
Hamilton, ON
L8L 1K1