Executive summary
- Recently, the LaSalle Park Marina Association (LPMA) advised staff that they received a non-renewal notice from their current insurer.
- The insurer indicated they are unable to offer renewal terms due to LPMA’s claims history (two outstanding claims) and changing market conditions.
- LPMA’s insurance has expired as at April 30, 2022 and based on their agreement with the City, they must have insurance in place to operate the Marina.
- LPMA’s broker has contacted numerous insurers but to date has been unable to obtain insurance for LPMA for the upcoming boating season.
- The Burlington Sailing and Boating Club (BS&BC) provides winter boat storage and provides the boat lift-in and lift-out services. Boats that are stored in the compound cannot be lifted in until the Marina is operational.
- BS&BC and LPMA are separate entities but work cooperatively to provide a boating experience at the LaSalle Park Community Marina. Both LPMA and BS&BC have advised their members that LPMA is unable to get insurance for the upcoming boating season and that the opening of the Marina will be delayed as they look for options.
- Since the boat storage area takes up the parking spaces reserved for boat trailers, the public boat launch will remain closed for trailered boats until this situation is resolved. Canoes, kayaks, and other smaller portable items can still be launched.
Climate implications
- The Marina has been impacted by the ever changing and more violent weather patterns in the Bay.
- The previous floating wave break was not able to maintain a calm harbour during these storms resulting in boat and dock damage.
- The City funded the construction and installation of the new floating wave break to mitigate wave action in the Marina because of the more frequent and intense storms.
- The new wave break has successfully mitigated the wave action in the harbour and supported the finger docks being able to remain in water year-round; no longer removed for the winter, stored on the pier and reinstalled each spring.