By: Taylor Arens - Journal Staff
On June 6, the Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area and Weigand marina had an open house at the Crofton Haymarket from 9 am-12 noon with around 150 people attending, according to Assistant Superintendent of Lewis and Clark SRA, Leslie Donner.
The purpose of this open house was to discuss the park upgrade project and what the plans include.
Many boaters attended the open house, asking about the cost of boat slips and where their priority would lie if they already had a boat slip. Donner commented that any current boat slip owners would get priority once prices are figured out, but that prices won’t be determined until mid-October. The goal for completion of the project is Summer of 2027.
There were around a dozen Nebraska Game and Parks affiliated employees at the open house, with different tables set to answer any questions including Lewis and Clark SRA employees and conservation officers.
Donner explained the importance of this project to the park, “The expansion is expected to update an aging marina infrastructure, increase boat slip capacity, and enhance the overall visitor experience. The project should help meet long-term demand while supporting tourism and recreation in the area.”
Lewis and Clark Park Superintendent, Jonathan Voelker, commented on how much this project means to the park, “It’ll bring a lot of people to the area. We’re doubling the size of our marina so that means more people and I think more benefit to the area, just Crofton and local communities. It’s a good thing and it needs to happen.”
The project is currently in the construction phase, with dredging work and removal of siltation in the basin at Weigand currently underway.