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BAZETTA -- Seven-year-old Gabriel Kelmer enjoys fishing and was spending time with his father, Ken Kelmer of Warren, out on their new boat at Mosquito Lake when they knew they needed more bait.
Conveniently, they were able to get the bait and other fishing supplies and snacks they needed at the newly opened marina building.
"This is awesome," said Gabriel of all that is inside the marina.
The boy said he and his father were on his family's new boat -- called "Boaty."
"He got a boat for Christmas,"said Ken, noting he appreciates being quickly able to find items inside the marina store.
"This is the best thing to have here to quickly find things. We come to Mosquito Lake a lot with the boat," he said.
The $2.5 million cabin-style building was completed in mid-March. The project was recommended by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, which is covering project costs.
Mansfield-based Schraedly Marine is operating the marina. The company outbid the previous owner, Joe Sofchek, for the contract.
The ODNR was in charge of the bidding process.
A BIG DRAW
Andrew Schraedly, director of operations for the Mosquito Lake Marina, said boating is big and popular at Mosquito Lake.
He said the new building was able to be completed this winter very quickly due to milder weather. The building has a store and restrooms.
"The project was initiated by the state of Ohio. This building replaces a smaller marina building. We have a beautiful lake that is used by many boaters and fishermen and the marina is here to help provide them with whatever they may need. We wanted to have a place where people could easily go for live bait and other needs," Schraedly said.
The marina will have a ribbon cutting and grand opening with ODNR and state park officials at 10:30 a.m. May 8.
The marina is open daily for boat rentals.
"We are excited about opening. We want to be part of the community and support the many people who use Mosquito Lake. The marina will serve the many people who use the lake," Schraedly said.
He said while the grand opening is set for May 8, the marina is already open seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Oct. 14.
The marina offers bait, tackle, marine accessories and food items.
PARK ADDITION
Josie McKenna, park manager, said the new marina is three times bigger than the previous one.
"We are excited that it is done. We saw it being worked on all winter," she said.
McKenna said different food trucks will be brought in on busy weekends during the summer.
"The state told us the marina needed an upgrade," she said.
The state wanted a larger bait shop / store closer to the road, with restrooms and flush toilets. There were also additions for storage and a larger boating dock and fueling dock.
The new dock has an overhang for people to sit under and eat, just like a picnic area.
McKenna said work was done by Declan Construction of Brookfield.
"We look forward to the changes and improvements," she said.
Laurie Frederick of Williamsfield, who works at the marina store, said people are very surprised when they come in and see how big the building is.
Frederick said already there have been many people stopping in and many boaters already have been on the lake because of recent nice weather.