StoneGate/Clinton Inn via LGPC (2021)
The partners StoneGate Resort/Clinton Inn won approval from the Lake George Park Commission last week to add two tour boats and a Class A marina, with 10 non-motorized craft, to their resort.
The tours and boats are aimed only at guests.
"Our clients last year were really looking to get on the water,” said Traci-Anne Whalen, a representative for the resort. Although she is listed on a separate entity, The White Whale Boats and Tours, she told the commission that the tour company is controlled by the resort.
They were asking for 12 kayaks, six paddle boards and two pedal boats but the park commission looked at the area and said 10 would be best for now, with the idea that the resort could return and show that 20 would work.
The unanimous approval was the final step needed. The resort already has docks and a beach. Little construction is needed.
“We’re up and going,” said Paul LeBlanc, who is listed as the owner’s representative on the proposal. “Last year’s demand on having boat access...was extremely difficult.”
He explained that COVID restrictions kept people off the beach, and the only way to see the water was to rent a boat. Guests arrived on Friday and asked where to rent a boat only to find out that the rentals everywhere on the lake were gone.
Lake George had a surprisingly busy summer season last year as people flocked to outdoor activities away from other people. Boat sales and rentals boomed.
This change gives their guests a better chance to get on the water, he said.
The pontoon tour boats can carry up to 10 people, but the application says six will be the limit on tours. The boats will act both as a tour boat and will allow people to anchor and swim, go tubing or water skiing, the application says.
The plan is to have one- or two-hour paddleboat rentals and two- or three-hour tour boat rentals.
“We’re just getting our feet wet with it,” LeBlanc said, adding a moment later when the joke was pointed out, “No pun intended.”
StoneGate is in Lake George Village, just south of the Hearthstone state campground.