Memorial Day weekend is usually a big one for boating, but the slips are empty and the boat launch is closed at Sturgeon Point Marina on Lake Erie.

A large sandbar blocking the channel from the marina to the lake needs to be dredged, and that will soon happen after an offer to do the work for free.

After major storms last October and February battered the Lake Erie shoreline, the sandbar was left in their wake.

"I think it's sad that we can't be out on our boats today," said Jeff Jarzynski, a town of Evans resident who serves on the Sturgeon Point advisory board.

He's been using the marina for years, and at one time was the captain of a charter boat. But so far this season neither he nor anyone else has been able to use the marina.

"I've seen a sandbar across here and we've had to dredge it out in years past but it's never been this bad," he said.

The Evans Town Board voted 2-1 against spending $90,000 to dredge out the sand because the low bid was nearly double what was budgeted ($50,000).

Town Supervisor Mary Hosler says the marina is a regional asset, and the costs of operating and maintaining it should be shared. She's looking for partnerships with the state, the county and other agencies. She says the marina is not a moneymaker for the town.

"My goal is to find a long term strategy that we can keep the marina open and functioning, but not put the deficits on the backs of just our taxpayers, because we're not the majority of people using it," Hosler said. 

The town put in a claim with the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help pay for the dredging. 

But FEMA inspections have been delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, causing some concern the town might not be reimbursed if the work started before those required inspections.

"This marina means a lot to a lot of different people," said Michael Schraft, Evans town councilman.

Schraft says the town and local businesses benefit from revenue from the marina, and he wants to see it dredged. He voted in favor of the initial $90,000 project. While that was measure was defeated, the dredging will still happen. That's because Spoth Enterprises, Union Concrete and the Engineers Local 17 have agreed to provide labor and equipment  — free of charge to the town. The board voted to move ahead with the project with that help.

"To me it was a no brainer," Schraft said. "I think the community is going to come together, we're going to get it done and the marina's going to open this year."

The dredging project will not jeopardize the town's FEMA claims for other damage at the marina, including repairs to the breakwall and electrical work. The Army Corps of Engineers, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and FEMA signed off of the project. Dredging could start as soon as next Tuesday, and take about two weeks to finish, Hosler said. 

Once completed, the marina's boat launch will open. Slip holders are receiving refunds, but will be able to have their spots reserved for next year if they don't use them this year, Hosler said.

"It's a great place for families to gather and get out on their boats and enjoy," Jarzynski said. "It's Lake Erie. It's gorgeous, what a jewel."