Burlington Free Press: My Turn – What better use for Moran plant?

Recently the Free Press published an article on the Moran project (“Moran partner hopeful,” April 15) and as the board vice president of the Community Sailing Center, I wanted to reiterate the excitement expressed by Phil McCully, the Montreal-based spokesman for Ice Factor, the Scottish company behind the rock- and ice-climbing center, about the forward movement on this important project for Burlington’s waterfront.

Having based our operations out of the Moran plant for the past 15 years, we have experienced all that this part of Burlington’s beautiful and historic waterfront have to offer — to the organizations partnering with the city on this project as well as to the city’s residents and it’s visitors. In addition to panoramic views of the Adirondacks, this project gives the city a chance to recycle a massive building once used to generate power into a recreational center focused on the inner strength gained from the wonders of the lake, human energy and the learning of children. What better use for this behemoth?

Recently, the state has awarded this project a $100,000 grant to begin the process of cleaning up the interior of the Moran building — an important and significant step forward in this project. Much like Ice Factor, the Community Sailing Center is looking forward to the final project numbers and remains committed and enthusiastic about this project. Having occupied the Moran plant prior to this historic reuse project, we are doubly excited to see it in it’s redesigned and re-imagined glory.

Spring is in full swing as evidenced by the intrepid UVM Sailing practicing daily on the lake. As part of our ongoing growth and expansion of services, The Community Sailing Center has launched a new environment education initiative for children and adults to enhance their connection to Lake Champlain, partnering with ECHO, Vermont Natural Resource Council, Lakekeeper Program, and LAY monitoring program to help ensure Lake Champlain, Vermont’s greatest natural resource, is understood and protected for future generations. Recreation-based environmental education is one of the many opportunities available to bridge people’s understanding of their personal impacts to the lake’s health.

In preparation for the spring, we’ve also added a variety of new programs such as Yoga on The Dock, and overnight adventure camp, as well as adult and children’s kayaking and sailing-based programs to reach out to a broader portion of our local community. Of course, we’re already planning our second annual Rock the Dock party for the best fireworks viewing on July 3.

As your Community Sailing Center, we’re honored to be part of the historic Moran Project in and welcome you to visit our new Web site www.communitysailingcenter.org as well as our temporary home just to the south of the Moran plant. Come see what we’re all about.
Marc Sherman lives in Burlington.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009905210304