The Shipshaw marina is officially reopening its doors this summer, with a reinvented service offering for boaters and citizens of the area. They will be able to benefit from a restaurant-bar, a reception room, two Airbnb-style lofts and an updated terrace, all totaling investments of approximately $750,000.
“It’s really nice. The people of the municipality of Shipshaw, the people of Jonquière, of St-Ambroise are very involved in the project. Everything is complete so far. There will only be Airbnbs left, I already have reservations starting to come in, but they should be ready shortly,” mentions the now owner of the place, Jean-François Potvin, who is also a firefighter in Saguenay.
Remember that Mr. Potvin had submitted an offer of $316,000 to purchase the main building as well as its outbuildings, at this time last year. The latter was able to pay an amount of $4,550 for a two-month lease, with the City of Saguenay opting for rental at that time.
The new owner of the place said he was very happy with his investment.
” I am really happy. It’s a lot of work, a lot of money, but the end result is worth it. It’s such a beautiful place, so to arrive here and look at all this, we’re super happy. »
A facelift was required inside the main building, which consists of a restaurant-bar called “La Dérive” and which will be open from Thursday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m., as well as on Saturday and on Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., where lunches will be served on the terrace. Jean-François Potvin will also purchase two Coolbox, fully furnished and equipped container-type mini-houses that can accommodate up to five people, which will be located on the land next to the river. The platform has 60 places, all of which have already been reserved.
The owner also plans to expand the service offering, so as not to only operate during the summer season.
“First, there will surely be a paddleboard, kayak and personal watercraft rental company, and in winter it will turn into a snowmobile relay,” underlines Mr. Potvin.
Shuttles for cyclists
Cycling enthusiasts wishing to take a look at the new features at the Shipshaw marina can do so from the Chemin Saint-André cycle path in Jonquière, via shuttles. Although this system has been in place for some time, municipal councilor Claude Bouchard believes that it is now time to exploit it to its full potential.
“Maybe in previous years it wasn’t very encouraging to take the pontoon and cross, because there was no life at the marina. There, it will be quite the opposite, there will be services, people, so it will be more motivating for people from the other side to be able to cross,” he says, adding that the establishment of a link cycle route between Jonquière and Shipshaw is one of its priorities.
The shuttle schedule with precise departure times is available on the City of Saguenay website.
