River Nonprofit Nearing Fundraising Goal

by Jonathan Weaver

Ice on the Allegheny River is quickly melting as temperatures rise with the coming of Spring - meaning local boaters are becoming more anxious to get back on the water.

But, for the past few years, Locks #6-9 along the Allegheny River in Armstrong County have not been opened to recreational boaters.

The nonprofit Allegheny River Development Corporation has been working ever since to negotiate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reopen the locks through “contributed funds” and grant funding, but local residents can also help out next weekend.

But, hope is in sight– if they can just raise the last of about $25,000 before May.

After about $15,000 of $40,000 goal was already raised via a pontoon boat raffle last Summer, but local supporters will also be able to donate at the 2014 Lock Kickoff Fundraiser - scheduled for 5PM Saturday, March 28 at the
Comfort Inn along Route 28 in RIDC Park (near Fox Chapel).

The night will include a buffet dinner, live music and dancing, as well as Chinese auction and 50/50 chances, said Allegheny River Development Corporation President Linda Hemmes.

“Overall, it looks like it’s going to be a really fun time,” Hemmes said.

Entertainment was donated by Pittsburgh-area classic rock band “Eddie and the Rollers” – who are also boaters themselves. The band covers a wide variety of popular performers beginning from the 60`s and 70’s.

Chinese auction prizes include a few summer getaways and also an African safari.

More than 200 tickets have already been sold to the fundraiser.

The proceeds will also go toward the lock operations later this Spring – and officials are “hedging in on” their goal, Hemmes said.

After negotiations concluded with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Pittsburgh, February 10, Hemmes has been communicating with Army Corps of Engineers Deputy for Programs and Project Management Lenna Hawkins about every two weeks with an update.

After it is approved by County Solicitor Chase McClister, Hemmes expects that a Memorandum of Understanding could be delivered to County Commissioners David Battaglia, Bob Bower and Rich Fink as early as the end of the month.

“We’re in good shape,” Hemmes said. “It was a lot of work.”

Tickets are $65 per person/$120 per couple, and can be purchased at the Oakmont Yacht Club, Fox Chapel Marina, Allegheny Mariner, the Armstrong County Tourist Bureau, or online on the nonprofit’s website.

The group was given a $120,000 PennDOT grant through the help of State Representative Jeff Pyle last Fall.

The Armstrong County Tourist Bureau donated $2,500 and Kittanning Borough Council pledged $1,000 toward the $40,000 nonprofit fundraising goal in January.

The river locks might be open for nearly two dozen weekends in 2015 – beginning May 17-18 and until the end of October (including the three day Fourth of July Weekend, the three-day Labor Day Weekend, night operations for all the Arts on the Allegheny concerts in Kittanning Riverfront Park and 18 hours Thursday and Friday during the Fort Armstrong Folk Festival).

Upper Monongahela River Association officials have also been working in cooperation with ARDC supporters to fund lock operations this summer.