Crews with BMAR and LCI, Inc. were placing portions of the new structure at the Lake Barkley Marina Monday.
Crews were on hand launching base portions of the structures that will be put into place sometime in the near future, said project manager Jack Thomason.
The base structures are assembled in portion on land and then launched and completed in the water.
BMAR and Associates, of Hopkinsville, is the leading firm behind the project and is trying their best to keep all equipment and supply purchases within Trigg County, Thomason said.
"We’ve got the best tourist spot in the country right here and we are doing what we can to help that," Thomason said.
Supplies for the project began to arrive February 28 as additional crews were brought in from Norman Marine Service, of New Johnsonville, Tenn. who will be removing the old, existing docks.
Currently, crews from LCI, Inc., of Memphis, Tenn. have begun to install what will soon be the fuel dock at the marina, said James Vance, of LCI.
"We’re in the beginning stages of doing the courtesy dock and fuel dock installation," Vance said.
Vance and Thomason said the project would be completed within three months, depending on weather and other factors, including high water, which may prevent the project from being completed on time. Thomason said he doesn’t expect to have any large delays but said there was a possibility.
Atlantic Meeco has been subcontracted by LCI and BMAR to do the fabrication of the floating supports. Thomason said crews with that company have been "working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get this stuff ready for us."
Terry Hamby, president and chief executive officer for BMAR said approximately one-third of the supplies have been delivered to the marina. He said there have been 25 of the scheduled 75 loads of prefabricated docks delivered to the site and that the project in general is right on schedule.
"We are pretty much on schedule to be completed by May 28," he said.
In addition to the new appearance of the marina, Thomason said the company has hired local individuals to head the new establishment once it is completed. Newel Bailey, of Cadiz, has been hired to serve as the marina manager once construction is complete. Bailey was employed with BMAR before his assignment to the marina, however his family ties prompted his switch to the marina’s manager, according to a company newsletter.
Scott Jolly, of Cadiz, has also been tagged by BMAR to run a small restaurant in the new ship’s store. Thomason said he will be serving menu items such as hamburgers and hot dogs for anglers who visit the new business.
Merchandise in the new ship’s store will also be different. Thomason said the boathouse will soon carry Bass Pro Shops branded products. In addition, there will also be a mail-order service that will allow any fisherman to order from the Bass Pro Shops catalog.
For the most part, Thomason said the visitors to Lake Barkley State Park will soon have a beautiful marina to brag about to other visitors.
"We are going to have the most modern marina in the state," Thomason said.
