By JONATHAN SNYDER
Vera Cruz’s Paddlesports Launch ramp was officially opened in a ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday.
Area Plan Commission Executive Director Mike Lautzenheiser addressed the crowd of over 55 people in attendance for the ceremony. Lautzenheiser discussed the project’s history, the people involved in construction and funding and thanked the Wells County Trails board members and Vera Cruz’s town board for their support. Members of the Wells County Trails board, as well as past and present members of Vera Cruz’s town council, helped cut the ribbon after Lautzenheiser spoke.
The project started three years ago, with both the Trails board and Vera Cruz wanting to develop a kayak launch for a younger demographic. Vera Cruz saw the success of the launch site at the White Bridge in Bluffton and wanted to see something similar. Trails board member and Bluffton kayak club member Brandy Fiechter stated kayaking and paddlesports have grown in popularity ever since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Similar to the White Bridge launch, the Vera Cruz site has a grooved concrete kayak ramp. Lautzenheiser stated that it is wide enough that a vehicle could head down the ramp, which would cut down on hauling kayaks and materials. The site also has a gravel driveway leading to two parking areas.
“We got a chance to really see the product and fell in love with the concept we could put in,” Lautzenheiser said. “An easy up and down kayak launch that’s wide enough to back a vehicle down, is slip-proof and can get you right down to the water.”
The Wells County Commissioners helped fund the engineering and environmental studies of the area. Isch Excavating dug up the original land that was there and installed the prefabricated concrete ramp. Donations, sponsorships and grants from the Wells County Foundation, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Corporation, and the Caylor-Nickel Foundation were some of the project sponsors for the launch.
This launch will be a midway stop for people traveling from the Linn Grove launch point and the White Bridge launch. Before the Vera Cruz site, it would take approximately six hours to travel by kayak from Linn Grove to the White Bridge.
“We think this is something that’s going to increase tourism opportunities and make nice connections between the launches,” Fiechter said. “So they’ve got options of taking a short trip or a longer trip.”
“We’re very proud of it,” former town board member Sheila Flotow said. “It’s a good opportunity for the town.”
jonathan@news-banner.com
