New Haven’s latest effort to revitalize its waterfront was unveiled Monday with the opening of the Canal Dock Boathouse at 475 Long Wharf Drive. Owned by the City of New Haven and operated by the nonprofit Canal Dock Boathouse, the $43 million building includeswill house a boating club, the University of New Haven’s environmental sciences marine program and public event spaces.
“This long-awaited facility improves our waterfront district, making it an even more inviting and exciting place,” New Haven Mayor Toni N. Harp said. “From boating and educational activities to private and public event spaces, the Canal Dock Boathouse has so much to offer residents of our community, as well as visitors from across Connecticut and beyond.”
The new boathouse sits at the terminus of the Farmington Canal Line and was the site of the original Canal Dock shipping pier, which served the marine industry from the early 19th century into the 1940s. The new building was planned, in part, to take the place of the Yale George Adee Memorial Boathouse,, which was razed in 2007 to make way for the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge.
Interpretive information about New Haven history and the history of collegiate rowing are elements are displayed on the exterior and interior of the building. Boating activities and boat storage are planned for the first level, near a floating dock that provides access to the water. Bathrooms, locker rooms and event space are located on the second level.
At 30,000 square feet, the new boathouse incorporates salvaged fragments of the Adee Boathouse and was built under the auspices of Langan Engineers. Architect Rick N. Wies of Gregg Wies & Gardner Architects designed the building, with interpretive design services by Dean Sakamoto Architects and construction by Nosal Builders, Inc. and Ralph Camputaro & Son.
“This is a another very important step towards the resurgence of our Long Wharf District and reconnecting our cCity to its waterfront,” said Alderman David Reyes, Jr., of New Haven’s Ward 5.
Contact Liese Klein at lklein@newhavenbiz.com
