Navajo Lake Marina is hosting its grand opening ceremony Friday for the $3 million dollar expansion of its facility. Events on Saturday to celebrate National Marina Day include free hot dogs, kayaking and door prizes, so it will be a busy weekend at the marina.
The grand opening will be celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 3 p.m. Friday, June 9 at the Marina in Navajo Lake State Park.
On more than a half-acre of floating platforms, the marina at the Pine Side of Navajo Lake State Park off New Mexico Highway 511 features a new store, restaurant and dock buildings. The floating platforms were put in and the buildings were built over the winter. The buildings replace metal shed structures that were put up more than 50 years ago during the reservoir's formation.
In addition to the expanded store and restaurant, the marina has added a splash pad for children, numerous courtesy slips, a fishing hole, and a new gas dock with updated gas pumps and boat pump-out facilities. The new facility also features the first floating public access restrooms on the lake.
"We are looking forward to giving the patrons of Navajo Lake State Park and the Marina, a first class marina experience in line with that offered by other premier marinas on lakes in the U.S.", commented Jarrett Johnson, the marina's president and chief operating officer, who spearheaded the planning and construction of the project.
"The marina is also excited to be offering an upgraded restaurant experience," Johnson noted. David Folk, former owner of the Java Junction chain in Farmington, will operate the expanded cafe. The new cafe offers both indoor and outdoor dining, which can be joined together in good weather by opening the glass garage doors for a convivial atmosphere.
National Marina Day kicks off Saturday morning at 9 a.m. with a shoreside trash clean up. The marina will provide gloves, trash bags and other essentials. Following the opportunity to give back to the State Park, a day of festivities follows including:
Free kayaking and paddleboarding in a designated area from 11 to 4 p.m.Fishing contest for kids at the new fishing hole starting at 11 a.m. All entrants get six free minnows and the winner will receive a fishing pole.Door prizes given away throughout the day will include Jet Ski and Hydrobike rentals, a BBQ grill and an Airhead Blast Water tube. Over 250 junior sized Hyper Lite shirts be distributed at no cost.Kids can enjoy the new splash pad in front of the store all day. San Juan County's Fire Department will have a booth from 11 a.m to 4 p.m. and will be handing out fire hats badges and other novelties, as well as having a fire boat on display.The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will offer advice and literature about boat and water safety from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can also schedule a boat safety inspection during that time.Tour a 75-foot houseboat featuring four bedrooms and two baths, complete with a hot tub and water slide. Tours will be offered at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.Winters Construction will provide more than 300 hot dogs for free on a first come first served between noon and 3 p.m.A rock hunt from 1 to 3 p.m. for more than 100 pieces of pyrite and geodes hidden around the Marina. There will also be a chance to try out gold panning skills.Water balloon toss contests will be held throughout the day with separate contests for adults and kids. Last year the parents may have had more fun than the kids.Pottery lessons will be offered for the kiddos from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Earth Fired Pottery will also have a large assortment of pottery for sale.Aluminum cans may be deposited in the marina's can trailer in the parking lot. All recycling proceeds go to C.A.S.T. for Kids.Festivities will conclude with a costume contest for slipholders and their guess at 4 p.m. The winner will receive an Airhead Blast water tube.
