Newport Beach : Upper Bay Boating Center Given Approval
A public kayak and canoe center for instruction and training in Upper Newport Bay has been approved by the California Coastal Commission.
The proposal by the city and a nonprofit group, the Newport Aquatic Center, calls for an 18,228-square-foot center at North Star Beach on public tidelands.
The center, which is also called the Newport Aquatic Center, is intended to be used primarily by boating clubs and various civic groups. But Olympic-class rowers are expected to share the center with those seeking instruction or wanting to rent a self-powered craft for the day.
City officials have limited the use of the center to 250 people daily. And the Coastal Commission further required that 20% of the use be reserved for walk-in patrons.
The city and the nonprofit corporation still have to reach agreement about the leasing of the property. Two years ago, voters authorized the city to lease the property to the Newport Aquatic Center for the project.
Plans for a dock at the facility still must be approved by the Coastal Commission.
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