Nine months after Hurricane Dorian nearly destroyed it, Shediac Bay Marina to reopen with hopes for a solid 2020 season

Shediac Marina Dorian Damage

Shediac Bay Marina suffered extensive storm surge damage when Category 2 Hurricane Dorian overwhelmed a protective breakwater

Practically destroyed nine months ago after Hurricane Dorian slammed into Canada’s east coast, Shediac Bay Marina in the province of New Brunswick is set to officially reopen later this month following a multimillion-dollar reconstruction.

The facility, which serves as a home base for the Shediac Bay Yacht Club, was almost completely destroyed on September 7 when high winds and a massive storm surge from the Category 2 hurricane overwhelmed the Point-du-Chene breakwater. Docks and other marina infrastructure have now been replaced, the breakwater reinforced, and shoreline shops and restaurants rebuilt on pilings to raise them 2m off the ground as a safeguard against future storms.

“It was a real mess,” said Shediac Bay Yacht Club manager Gerry O’Brien, speaking to media. “But now it will be one of the nicest marinas around,” he said. “Everything is state-of-the-art.”

O’Brien said the cost to rebuild the facility was about C$2.2m. The marina will officially reopen on June 26 with a capacity of 172 slips, while a final section still under reconstruction will open a few weeks later with room for an additional 24 boats.

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