The $2.49 million project is part of the city’s $22 million Downtown-Waterfront Master Plan that the city council passed in 2015 to enhance and reenergize the area.

“With each Master Plan project completed, we are excited to bring the community’s vision into reality,” City Manager Darren Gray said. “The new boat ramp will be a great asset to our waterfront.”

Lake County contributed $750,000 to the project utilizing tourism development tax dollars, and Lake County Water Authority contributed $250,000. The remainder is being funded through the city’s portion of the Infrastructure Sales Tax, also known as the Penny Sales Tax.

The former boat ramp site, located just east of the Clermont Boat House, will become an extension of Victory Pointe. The new boat ramp has double the launch pads (four instead of two), increased parking (102 spots instead of 77) and 10 mooring slips (as opposed to none), as well as new restrooms. Many of the features of the boat ramp were proposed by Clermont resident Stephen Franklin.

The extensive project included multiple surveys, underground utility work, and coordination with county, state and federal agencies. Construction was completed in six months.

For safety, a portion of the South Lake Trail was rerouted south of the site, and a separate turn lane was added from East Avenue into the parking lot.

The new location, also knowns as the former Bell Ceramics site was chosen based on valuable feedback from key community groups.

“By having dialogue and making the community a part of the plan, that’s how we were successful,” Gray said. “We listened.”

Toni Bell, a prior owner of the property stated, “City Manager Darren Gray has done a fantastic job in having three local businesses construct the Clermont Boat Ramp.  The Bell Ceramics family is very happy with their decision to sell their property to the city and not to condominium developers.  They wanted the city to build something that would benefit all the people of Clermont.  The result is a beautiful and functional city feature”.

Celebration on the Shores of Lake Minneola.  The new boat ramp is finished!

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