A decade ago, the recreational boater who suggested going to Hammond for the weekend would have been greeted with laughter or perhaps a suggestion of psychological testing.
How things have changed.
Today, the Hammond Marina is home to a huge floating casino, and on Aug. 12, its 15,000-square-foot harbor building was opened.
The structure was two years in the planning, with Hammond officials visiting Lake Michigan marine facilities as far away as Manitowoc, Wis., and asking boaters and fishers what the building should include, said Robert Nelson, Hammond Marina director.
The building is at the opposite end of the marina from the casino and near the new swimming beach and entrance to the quarter-mile promenade that has three handicapped accessible fishing areas.
The center section houses the harbor offices on the first floor and a large banquet area and meeting room on the second with an expansive balcony. Nearby, a 20-acre bird sanctuary and park are being developed.
The banquet room can be rented for private parties and is available for casual use by harbor patrons, Nelson said.
On the southeast side of the new building is a 2,500-square-foot ship’s store and deli, where you can buy boating supplies, food, ice, drinks, ice cream and more. On the other side, closer to the public pier and the beach, are the boaters’ washrooms. Those include laundry facilities, private showers and changing areas. Outside the building are the entrances for the public washrooms. Large patios with umbrella tables are on both sides of the building.
The harbor has lots of space so transient boaters need not call for a reservation, Nelson said. “We have 982 slips, 855 are rented so well over 100 are available for transient boats. Call us on the marine radio near the entrance on Channel 16. We are open 24 hours a day. We will tell you what slip to go to.”
Transient rates include electricity and water at your boat, showers, laundry facilities and round-the-clock security for $25 a day for up to a 30-foot boat; $30 for 31 to 35 feet; $35 for 36 to 40 feet, etc.
The casino has three restaurants and a short walk from the marina are Phil Smidt & Son Restaurant and the Purple Steer, popular Northwest Indiana eateries.
Recently Hammond Marina (219-659-7678) christened four new Freedom 20s, a boat designed for people with disabilities, and it has a dock area designed for the disabled. It has Indiana’s largest community sailing and disabled sailing program on Lake Michigan, Nelson said.
“A decade ago, this was a slag dump,” Nelson said. “Now boaters are telling us that we have the best marine facilities on Lake Michigan.”
I can picture those bumper stickers: “I’d rather be sailing to Hammond.” Well . . . maybe not.
– Whether the weather. Before you go sailing, check this Web site–www.sailcast.com. It has extensive marine and boating coverage, maps, winds, thunderstorm forecasts and precipitation.
———-
E-mail boatnews@aol.com or write to William recktenwald, City Room, Chicago Tribune, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611-4141.
