Clermont OKs $2.49 million for boat ramp

CLERMONT — The long wait for a bigger and better public boat ramp is about to come to an end.

On Tuesday night [May 28th], the City Council unanimously approved a $2.49 million contract with Traverse Group Inc. for construction of the boat ramp. According to officials, area boaters can expect the new launching venue and bathroom facility — located just east of Waterfront Park — to be up and running by the end of the year.

The Clermont-based Traverse Group will begin construction next month. The company’s bid beat out two others bids.

Plans to move the existing boat ramp from its current location began years ago when the city began mapping out a master plan for its downtown area. The purpose for the move was to shift motorized watercraft away from the non-motorized watercraft that launch from the Clermont Boat House, which is home to the Lake County Rowing Club and the Clermont Sailing Club. It is also located adjacent to the Victory Pointe stormwater treatment plant and Triathlon Beach, which diminished boat ramp parking spots.