PORT TOWNSEND — Congressman Norm Dicks untied a sailor’s knot Wednesday to officially open the Northwest Maritime Center beach to the public.
About 60 people showed up for the opening of the half-acre parcel — formerly an oil depot — at the end of Point Hudson.
Dicks, D-Bremerton, arrived by boat for the ceremony, stepping ashore in borrowed boots from a 17-foot Lapstrake Whitehall paddled by Wooden Boat Foundation Director Chris Kluck and Northwest Maritime Center President Brent Shirley.
The congressman untied a knot tied by Brion Toss in lieu of a ribbon-cutting to open the site.
“This project is truly visionary and truly outstanding,” Dicks said, noting the ceremony also marked the beginning of construction of a Northwest Maritime Center trades educational center and dock.
“We are going to finish this building. We’re going to dream the dream and get this done for the people of Port Townsend,” Dicks said.
Construction of the dock is scheduled for next summer, with construction of the center planned for spring of 2004, Northwest Maritime Center Director Dave Robison said.
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