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Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Branson Landing Marina Taking Shape

By Brandon Cone
BDN Staff Writer
bcone@bransondailynews.com

Beginning this summer, Branson Landing will take full advantage of being built on Lake Taneycomo .

CEO of HCW Development Rick Huffman said the addition of a marina at the north end of the 1.5 mile-long development and two fishing docks will add a new dimension the Landing.

“The plans for Gage’s Marina have been submitted to the city and are going through the city’s building department,” Huffman said. “As soon as a permit is issued for it, work should begin.”

Gage’s Marina when finished will feature a cruise boat, a dinner boat, water taxis and a water thrill ride.

“They already have the old Lake Queen down there and are restoring it,” Huffman said of the cruise boat which was a downtown Branson attraction for several years. “They set it on a platform last week and began work on it.”

Huffman said two 20-foot-by-30-foot courtesy docks have also been ordered to become part of the Branson Landing Boardwalk, but delays have kept them from arriving.

“Those docks can be used for our patrons to fish from or just sit on,” Huffman said.

One of the docks will be located near Joe’s Crab Shack, while the other will be near Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que.

Bass Pro Shops officials say another addition will be made to their store as soon as May 17 — the opening of the Bass Pro Shops marina.

The operating marina will feature a guide service, boat rentals and a boat service center, where customers will be able to take boats for test drives before buying them.

“May 17 is our tentative date, so we’re expecting it to be open by then,” Bass Pro spokesperson Larry Whiteley said.

He also said the 11,255-square-foot floating White River Fish Company restaurant has a tentative opening date in August. The floating restaurant building, formerly known as Dimitri’s, has been moved south of its former location.