Photo: Heritage Harbor cuts the ribbon on its new quarterdeck

Structure the 1st of its kind in La Salle County

The Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce congratulated Heritage Harbor on its new quarterdeck with a ceremonial ribbon cutting Friday.

The floating quarterdeck, which is a term for the raised deck behind a ship’s mast, houses the facility’s marina office operations as well as a new ship store, similar to a convenience store. Boat rentals also will operate out of the floating building.

Heritage Harbor souvenirs and convenience store items including packaged alcohol, beer, water, among others are available within the quarterdeck.

The quarterdeck — which is the first of its kinda in La Salle County — has a patio on the back deck for people who want to sit and watch the boats go by.

Heritage Harbor also installed a fuel dock that can refuel up to three boats at a time. The facility is adding 30 new slips this year after it has run at capacity for the past few years.