The Exploits Valley Port Corporation is looking at how it can best utilize the shores of Botwood.
Since the divesture of port properties from the federal government took place in 2014, the corporation has been hoping to entice new business to the area.
According to port corporation chairman Scott Sceviour, who is also Botwood’s mayor, in the past the town has been involved in shipping related to oil and gas, minerals, aquaculture and forestry, and will once again look at tapping those markets.
But the port needs to be ready, Sceviour said, and that’s why Tract Consulting has been engaged to develop a strategic plan.
In conjunction with the Town of Botwood, the consulting firm will be looking at Main Street development and a marina expansion proposal.
Sceviour said the marina work will include the planning and layout for an expansion along with the projected cost, which will be followed up by the town exploring funding possibilities.
“It’s a lot of pieces working together, but we don’t want to be going after something in the oil and gas sector, for example, and not being prepared,” Sceviour said.
The study is welcomed by Tony Sceviour, commodore of the Botwood Marina Association.
Year-over-year, the facility’s 28 berths are always at capacity, he said.
As well, there’s a wait list of interested boaters and the marina’s boat launch sees constant use. It’s been that way for the past 16 to 18 years, Tony Sceviour said.
“We are out of space. An expansion is long past due,” he said.
