Ice Out of Bay Dates

1975: Approval is attained from the Tay Township Committee of Adjustment to establish a marine-based facility at the mouth of the Wye River. Owner, Gord Blake, establishes Wye Heritage Marine during the summer of 1975.

1976: The South Basin of Wye Heritage Marina is ready for business.

1977: The first storage facility is built to accommodate boats during the off-season.

1978: Over 250 slips are available for boats.

1979: The marina entrance is moved to the mouth of the Wye River.

1980: G and H docks are built and available for moorage.

1981: Land preparation begins to establish slippage in the West Basin.

1982: Wye Heritage Marina now has 425 slips for boaters.

1983: Additional funding arrives from the provincial government to further develop the marina.

1984: Over 600 slips are offered and the number is growing each day!

1985: Wye Heritage Marina's First Annual Festivities Day commences.

1986: Horatio Hornblower opens for its first season of business.

1987: Construction is officially completed with the development of Q North and the grand opening of the new Administration Building.

1988: Georgian College launches a new curriculum titled the "Marine Technology Program."

1989: Lakeland Yacht Sales opens an office at Wye Heritage Marina.

1990: Dockominiums are introduced to the marina as part of the Westwind Yacht Club.

1991: Rylar Development Limited leaves the marine industry.

1992: New slip construction is under way for the West Basin as J, K, L, M, and O docks are put into place.

1993: Current owner, Erwin Zecha, purchases Wye Heritage Marina.

1994: The inaugural Wye Heritage and Okeechobee Rendezvous commences.

1995: Wye Heritage Marina holds its First Annual Wine & Cheese Party.

1996: Arctic Cat snowmobiles and accessories are introduced to the Chandlery.

1997: Wye Heritage Marina adopts the new age of technology with a newly designed website.

1998: A Bay tradition, Henry's Fish Restaurant & Smokehouse, opens on site.

1999: Surveys indicate that 91.4% of boaters would recommend Wye Heritage Marina to their friends and family for a great boating experience.

2000: The millennium brings the Silver Anniversary of Wye Heritage Marina, celebrating 25 years of community contribution. The marina officially changes its historic name to Doral Marine Resort.

2001: A million-dollar construction project proves successful with the addition of a new floating dock system, topographical and hydrographical surveys, and the removal of over 130,000 cubic metres of sediment for an average depth of 9 feet in the marina channels.

2002: In an effort to protect and preserve the natural marine environment, Doral Marine Resort adopts the Clean Marine Program and achieves a 3-leaf rating following initial assessment.

2003: Major construction halts with closure of the East Basin from Georgian Bay to maximize water accessibility within the marina. A new access road is built across a man-made berm to connect Q and R docks with the rest of Doral Marine Resort.

2004: Doral Marine Resort furthers its commitment to the environment by endorsing the Clean Boater Program by offering complimentary inspections to prospective program participants. Festivities Day is successfully revived to include a full-day itinerary, including Flea Market, Children's Centre, BBQ, and Barn Dance. Paving dominates the year's construction agenda with nearly 90% of the marina's road surface paved to reduce dust and provide a smooth driving surface.

2005: Boat building comes back to Midland with the opening of a new Doral Boats manufacturing plant. Production includes sport vessels from 17 to 29' in length. Doral Marine Resort achieves an unprecedented 4-leaf Clean Marine rating, the second highest rating attainable. Boatmax opens a new brokerage office at the marina selling Doral, Seaswirl, Thundercraft, and Striper boats, as well as pre-owned vessels.

2006: Doral Marine Resort registers a record number of new customers exceeding the 500 leaseholder mark. Construction continues with restructuring of the West Basin. L and M docks are removed, and new 30' drive-to slips are installed along H dock. Plans to relocate the Gas Dock to G wall are planned for summer 2007, as is improved landscaping, parking, and perimeter lighting in all areas of the West Basin.

2007: For the second consecutive year, Doral Marine Resort celebrates another successful season by surpassing the 550 leaseholder mark. As a result, construction continues with installation of new 45' floating, drive-to slips along P north due to the marina being nearly at capacity. Despite the fragility of the Clean Marine Program, the marina continues to enforce green practices over all operations.

2008: Construction on P north continues with complete installation of new floating docks to accommodate the influx of new boaters to Doral Marine Resort. Years of environmental consciousness led to the achievement of a 5-leaf green rating, the highest Clean Marine rating attainable. Preparation begins for relocation of the Gas Dock from the main water entrance to the south basin, G wall area of the marina.

2009: Doral Marine Resort partners with the Boatmax Yacht Group. Despite the rain and recession, dock and boat sales remain steady with both organizations assisting each other to 'seal the deal.' In partnering, no other marina or dealer can offer the advantages that both companies can.