SARATOGA SPRINGS — Utah's recent record-breaking heat has driven many boaters to Utah Lake.
It has helped that the newest public marina near Pelican Point is finally open for business.
Saratoga Springs, a new city whose houses are built at the edge of the lake, recently completed the first phase of the marina, including a dock, a paved boat ramp and a paved parking lot.
People haven't wasted any time using the new facility, about two miles south of Saratoga Springs' city offices.
Some work remains to be done, however. Landscaping consists of a few trees clumped together at the marina's entrance, and portable restrooms are in the parking lot.
Permanent restroom facilities should be built next year and landscaping around the marina will begin this fall, officials say.
The city also plans to expand the marina and create additional parking in the future as the need arises.
The marina currently has parking for almost 50 vehicles without trailers and approximately 20 vehicles with trailers.
"We're trying to make it the best facility we can," said City Planner Dave Anderson.
Saratoga Springs will operate the marina. A toll booth at the entrance to the marina stands empty for now.
The city has yet to impose a fee on marina use but may do so in the near future, Anderson said.
The city contracted with the state to improve a small existing boat ramp and began work on the marina in April.
"They're right on track, plus a little bit more," said Dick Buehler, Wasatch Front area manager for the Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands.
The marina is one of five public marinas on Utah Lake and the only one on the west shoreline. The lake also has three private marinas, two near the new marina.
"The population of that northwest side of the lake is growing at leaps and bounds, and not all the people have access to the private marina," Buehler said. "With the population growth like it is, they really needed that new marina."
The public still has access to the shoreline and water at private facilities but cannot trespass across private property to get there and cannot use the boat ramps or the docks.
The marina at Saratoga Springs will be more convenient for Salt Lake residents than other public marinas on the lake, Buehler said. "As the population continues to grow, which it will," he said, "there will even be more of a need for the new marina."
E-mail: cbuys@desnews.com