Marina’s fish-cleaning station ready but power delay pushes back ribbon-cutting

The Portage City marina board voted to approve routine business and discussed operational updates Tuesday, including that a new fish-cleaning station is physically complete but cannot open until NIPCO activates electrical service.

Board members said they have finished construction and sewer hookups at the site, and that the only remaining step is testing power. "So, it is we're ready to go," said Barb, the marina staff member who updated the board on facility work. Board members said they have had difficulty reaching NIPCO customer service and will ask Matt, a local contact, to help escalate the request so the utility can finish the connection and testing.

The board discussed holding a spring grand opening around April 15, contingent on power being turned on and inspected. Members said they ordered signs acknowledging grant support and the Indiana Department of Natural Resources; the DNR has indicated it would like to attend the event. The park department agreed to coordinate public notices with the chamber and to form a committee to plan the ceremony.

In other operational updates, Barb reported 22 open slips — including six on the 35-foot docks — and said the board ordered higher-grade Michigan lumber for flotation docks to replace lower-quality material. The group also agreed to hire contractor Dave Zach to reposition buoys that shifted during winter storms and asked that buoys be placed upstream of Marina Shores to reduce wake hazards.

The board did not set a firm ribbon-cutting date; members said they will confirm once NIPCO completes service and the site passes testing.