Grand Marais Boat Launch Feasibility Report and Conclusions

Update as of February 14, 2023

Grand Marais Boat Launch Committee was formed in late 2017 to examine the feasibility of a boat launch in the Grand Marais area.

In early 2018, the committee proposed four potential boat launch sites within Grand Marais Bay. They were examined by consultant, Amec Foster Wheeler (Wood PLC) who identified that all of these sites had challenges due to extreme lack of water depths and environmental concerns.

Public Consultation

The committee then looked at areas directly on Lake Winnipeg and identified four other potential sites.  These sites were reviewed for feasibility by the consultant, and their preliminary review on all of the sites was shared with residents at public consultations on August 24 and 25, 2018. Download Feasibility Study – Grand Marais Boat Launch Community Consultation Presentation here.

Thanks to the many residents who gave their feedback.  This information has been considered by the consultant in preparing its final feasibility report.

Feasibility Report and Conclusions

After close consideration of all factors in developing a boat launch, its neighborhood and environmental impacts, the final Boat Launch Feasibility Study was issued by Wood PLC on April 11, 2019.

The optimum location identified was at the Northern shoreline of Grand Marais at Parkview Avenue. Development for an efficient launch at that location would require extensive engineering and infrastructure that could withstand the elements of the Lake while providing an adequate turnaround area for users. On further investigation by the Committee, the estimated costs of a boat launch at this location ranged from $1.3 million to $2.0 million. The recommendation of the Committee to Council was to abandon the project, which Council accepted and resolved accordingly at its July 23, 2019 meeting.  

For further information, please contact our Economic Development Officer, Garry Marshall, by telephone at 204-801-2891 or by email edo@rmofstclements.com.