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Former Needles Marina Park Being Developed as Modern Resort

Posted on February 18, 2019

An excavator scoops mud from the bottom of the Needles Marina, just south of the Needles Bridge. One of many improvements to turn Needles Marina Park into a full-fledged modern resort, the marina is to be deepened by four feet; the nearby lagoon by five. One of the floating docks used by guests can be seen at the left; a bit of the expansive recreational vehicle area in the background. ROBIN RICHARDS/News West

NEEDLES — The new owners of the former Needles Marina Park are developing the 33-acre property on the Colorado River adjacent River’s Edge Golf Course into a large-scale resort with many modern amenities.

The owners of the Needles Marina Resort purchased the acreage and structures on May 15, 2018, and the two partners are in the process of spending $3.5 million on substantial improvements to the property. When all of the improvements are completed, the new resort will resemble two existing river’s edge resorts and provide the city of Needles with considerable sales tax revenues.

Two of the major projects in the next several weeks are the long-awaited dredging of the marina and the nearby lagoon, plus their entrances to the river. Both facilities have been in disrepair for a long time, which is why the two owners have made them immediate priorities. The four feet of dredging of the marina is already underway by T.C. Construction of Prescott, Ariz., a company with extensive dredging credentials and known for its quickness in completing projects. Completion of dredging the marina is targeted for March l5, to be followed by five feet of dredging in the lagoon, according to Eric Bryant, a developer and managing partner of the Needles Marina Resort.

Because so many: federal, state, county and the city of Needles; were involved in the permitting process, it took a total of four years. Nevertheless, Bryant credits Needles City Manager Rick Daniels and staff; Horizon Community Bank; and Ann Pettit, Broker-Owner of U.S Southwest Real Estate Commercial Property Sales; for all of the help and guidance they provided.

A new pickleball court was recently constructed and is already seeing a lot of action. Some of the other outdoor recreational amenities in the near future include bocce ball, shuffleboard and horseshoe pits. Some of the larger projects planned include a new resort-style pool, re-pouring the concrete launch ramp, 48 boat slips, 120 enclosed boat and RV storage units, a new store and office, and a new bar and grill accessible to boat traffic, local residents and visitors who can utilize a large, adjacent parking lot owned by the city of Needles.

Other riverfront resorts have their themes; ours is going with the cantina theme. Bryant said the 3,000 square-foot cantina will have both indoor and outdoor seating. Ground for the cantina is scheduled to be broken next winter with opening to the public by late spring of 2020.

In addition, Bryant plans to convert an existing store and meeting room into an indoor recreation facility with pool tables, sport TV screens, dart boards and other fun attractions such as bingo and a dance area. A new building will be constructed in front of the recreational facility. Bryant said all of the sites on the property will be remodeled in the next 36 months.

Currently, the Needles Marina Resort accommodates 154 RVs and also encompasses a mobile home community. At the moment, there are 10 vacant lots available. Interested parties must be approved by the office and sign a lease if they want to set up their mobile home on the lots.

When Bryant and his partner purchased the property last year, they didn’t let any of the nine employees go but rather added three more positions since then. With all the planned improvements to the resort, the employee roles are expected to increase to 30. Some of those positions include three additional maintenance workers and four to five security personnel (so they can be rotated).

For more information, Bryant may be contacted by calling 760-326-2197.

Source: mohavedailynews.com

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