MWCD opens renovated marina as destination for Tappan Lake visitors

SCIO — Officials with the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District hope that the newly renovated Tappan Lake Marina will become a destination place for people visiting the region.

MWCD officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday for the $6.5 million facility, which includes the Waters Edge Kitchen + Bar, marina services, boat sales and service and an electric vehicle charging station.

More:Tappan Lake Marina gets $6 million makeover

More:New marina, restaurant taking shape at Tappan Lake

"This project was, like the weather, a challenge," said Craig Butler, MWCD executive director. "It was a challenge because of COVID, it was challenge because of supply chain issues and it was just one of those projects that always is a problem.

"But we always knew we'd get it done. We invested about $6.5 million knowing that we needed to build a destination place for people to come enjoy Tappan Lake and the region, both Harrison, Carroll counties and Tuscarawas County. We think we succeeded."

Added Eric Stechschulte, the conservancy district's deputy chief for planning and projects, "I'll spin it a little bit different way. I'll say it's a labor of love for many people here. It was a difficult project, but we got through it."

The marina, located on the lower level, offers pontoon and fishing boat rentals, boating supplies, gifts, bait and tackle, fuel sales, snacks, docking rentals, boat and fishing licenses, restrooms, and showers all under one roof.

Ohio Valley Boats, operated by Keith Ott, is located next door to the marina and provides boat sales and service.

U.S. Route 250 now has a place for drivers to charge their electric vehicles. This dual port, level 2 EV charging station is open to the public seven days a week. Users must have the ChargePoint app, which is free to download. MWCD is offering this service free to start but plans to re-evaluate usage and might change to pay-per-charge.

The charging station was installed with planning support from Clean Fuels Ohio and funding from AEP Ohio and is a step toward necessary infrastructure to support connecting rural areas.

According to ChargePoint, level 2 charging adds about 25 miles of Range Per Hour (RPH). The time to fully charge an EV with a 100-mile battery is 4 to 5 hours. Typically, most drivers charge their vehicle from empty to full at home and "top off" during the day. 

MWCD officials used as much green technology as possible in the building. It has LED lighting and a geothermal system to help with energy efficiency.

Stechschulte said the restaurant has a total capacity of 250 diners. Right now, it can seat 175 people. 

Shari Lewis, who operates the Waters Edge Kitchen + Bar with her husband, Matt Donohoe, said the business has been open about six weeks and has had a great start. 

The restaurant has already had some live music programs and will be doing yoga on the marina deck in June.

Lewis and Jeremy Hoffer, the marina manager, both said they are looking for people to fill out their staffs this summer.