Successful Lock Operations in 2015 Spurs “Ambitious” 2016 Schedule
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Tonya Morris talks to Armstrong County boaters briefly about boater safety and education during last night’s ARDC public meeting.
by Jonathan Weaver
Armstrong County boaters from Clinton to Rimer took to the Allegheny River this past summer to show their support of lock operations, and it could lead to increased hours.
Allegheny River Development Corporation (ARDC) President Linda Hemmes unveiled 2016’s schedule for Locks 6, 7, 8 and 9 along the Allegheny River last night.
The schedule includes more than a half-dozen four-day weekends, including during the expected-Kittanning Hose Company #1’s Waves of Thunder motorcycle/car show, East Brady Riverfest and three holiday weekends – Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Labor Day.
Armstrong County Tourism Director Kevin Andrews said the longer weekends will continue to help spur economic development in local communities.
“If they’re coming up from Pittsburgh it takes awhile, so having those extra days allows them more time to come up and they don’t have to worry about rushing to turn around and go home,” Andrews said.
That proposed schedule also comes with a more-than $200,000 price tag, but officials are not raising membership rates, Hemmes and Treasurer Josh Starr said.
Starr estimated there are about 250 members. He said members or new members would not have to pay their new membership dues at the beginning of the year.
“We are hoping that lowering the price of our membership will drive more people to join,” Starr said. “We expanded our recreational boating season – which obviously comes at a higher price, so we need to raise more money but we lowered our prices so hopefully we can get more individuals to join our organization.”
For example, boat owner members will range from $25-$150, with associate members only having to pay $20 annually.
Some of that overall cost can be paid through two state grants Hemmes is applying for.
“The money’s tighter than it was (in 2015),” Hemmes said. “Do I think (the grants) are guaranteed? No. Do I think it’s possible? Yes. Do I think it’s probable? Yes. But, until I hear ARDC has been awarded this grant, I’m not going to take a deep breath.”
A majority of the lock operating costs were offset through a state multimodal grant, with the grant match paid through raffles, fundraisers and public events.
After overcoming “horrible” weather during lock operations in the month of June, more than 450 lockages and 15,000 vessels were recorded just in Lock 7 in Kittanning from April through October – including double-digits during six consecutive weekends starting during the Fourth of July.
A total of more than 4,500 vessels went through the four river locks.
That prompted the nonprofit organization’s president to be hopeful that U.S. Army Corps of Engineers officials will allow Lock 7 to be open weekends and holidays without dipping into ARDC’s budget.
“That means a tremendous amount to us - that’s a lot of money saved from our budget, as we are charged with paying $93.50 per hour per lock or $3,740 per day,” Hemmes said.
Lock 6 and 7 were only in the sixth level of service effective in Summer 2012 – service by appointment for commercial vessels only.
U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Tanya Morris, of Washington (Pa.) said boaters will see more of a Coast Guard presence next year to keep all boaters safe through friendly outreach
Board Director David Vorpe, of Ford City, encouraged the more-than 30 community boaters and ARDC board members last night to shop online – specifically through Amazon - this holiday season so that ARDC can take advantage of the charitable option Amazon Smile
Local News | jweaver November 19, 2015
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