Starport Severn Officially Opens This Weekend

Physical improvements and new Lock Bypass Program among many upgrades

May 16, 2011

Over the winter, Lake Simcoe’s Starport Marina expanded its operations with the acquisition of Severn Boat Haven and Jim Earle Marina. The new marina, re-branded as Starport Severn, officially opens this May long weekend.

The marina will place a heavy emphasis on providing boaters with a top-notch parts and service department, as well as offering winter storage for local cottage residents who own boats. The marina will also be constructing a boater’s lounge for customers. The marina will continue to sell boats via Jim Earle’s on-premise boat sales department.

Starport Severn has undergone several aesthetic upgrades including renovations to the clubhouse, new landscaping, upgrades to the existing building facade, improved washrooms and the construction of a dedicated barbecue area. There are also plans to add a swimming pool, as well as other five-star resort amenities. Starport Severn will also be developing a comprehensive parts and service program.

A new premium service that will be offered at Starport Severn will be a Lock Bypass program whereby boaters will be able to have their boats transported from the top of Lock 45 to the bottom before their arrival. Typically, boaters wait upwards of four to five hours on weekends to get through the lock in order to get into Georgian Bay. The Lock Bypass program will offer Starport members the option of calling ahead and having their boats moved (either on land or water) to the bottom of the lock at the current Jim Earle location, where their boats will be waiting upon their arrival.

“Our goal with all of the Starport properties is to deliver a marina experience unlike anything offered in today’s marketplace,” said Mark Lariviere, general manager for Starport Marina.” The boating lifestyle is truly unique and by offering these new and exciting member programs, services and activities, we believe that we are setting a new benchmark for the marina industry in Canada.”

Established 42 years ago, Severn Boat Haven is located on the Trent-Severn Waterway (Lock 45) and houses 100 slips ranging in size from 15 to 45 feet. The marina has primarily catered to area cottagers who own boats, as well as large cruisers and transient boaters en route to Georgian Bay. Jim Earle Marina, located at the bottom of Lock 45 on Georgian Bay, has an extensive service department consisting of four bays, a fully stocked parts department, launch ramp and rack storage for 300 boats. Starport Marina is working on an arrangement with Jim Earle to ensure his operations continue to thrive on site.

For more information on Starport, please visit www.starportmarina.com.

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