BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

WADDINGTON — Village, town and state officials unveiled four new docks for boaters during a ribbon cutting ceremony today, May 26.

The four docks, located across from Waddington Hardware and Building Supplies, are the result of significant hard work by many parties involved, as well as the Resiliency and Economic Development Initiative.

According to Mayor Mike Zagrobelny, the REDI Commission recognized “Waddington’s value in New York State” and help provide resources to make the town’s infrastructure resilient and adaptable.

The installation of the new docks will breathe life into the downtown area, doubling the number of vessels that can dock in the village.

“We can accommodate about 60 vessels now. Three quarters of the docks will be for lease and the remaining one will be set aside for transients who want to stop,” Zagrobelny said.

In his speech during the ribbon cutting, Zagrobelny thanked many parties involved who made the project come to fruition, including Stephanie Wojtowicz from the Department of State, Bryant Bullard from the New York Power Authority, as well as Assemblyman Scott Gray and State Senator Dan Stec.

“I would also like to recognize our current village and town board members here today, as well as any former board members, especially Janet Otto-Cassada who was mayor when Waddington applied to the REDI program,” he said.

Zagrobelny said the end goal is to utilize the new docks to help drive and promote economic development in Waddington. Village officials are hopeful the added space will mean that more patrons will stop in the village for dinner, to watch concerts and attend events throughout the summer.

“Nothing thrives in a vacuum,” Zagrobelny said.

“These docks are not here because of a single person or any single entity. They are here because many people had a vision and the patience to see that vision realized.”

Zagrobelny said many people involved worked together simply for the benefit of the community, “regardless of political party.”

“They are here because the town and village of Waddington always act in the best interest of all of Waddington and they are here because the New York Power Authority continues to honor its commitment to the communities within the project boundary. The docks are only a piece of the greater project that the village, town and Power Authority will complete as Island View Park Marina continues to evolve.”