Tue, Dec 06, 2016
Lease Was Terminated By County On Short Notice
A seaplane service operating from Lake Chelan in Washington state has been notified that its lease is being terminated, leaving the company high and dry.
Seaplane service has operated from Lake Chelan in some from since 1945, according to a story submitted to the Lake Chelan Mirror by Shane Carlen of Chelan Seaplanes. Carlen said that the marina and the city cited a "change in direction" for the marina.
Carlen said that the Goodfellow Bros and the partnership of Sunset Marina LLC, long time owners of the home of Chelan Airways and Chelan Seaplanes, were very generous and have provided a very reasonable lease which kept the service alive since the mid 1980's when the seaplane service moved from the City Park to it's present location. However, the development of the valuable land has led to the abrupt termination of the 30 plus year home for the valley's seaplane service.
The marina is set to undergo a major update, and had initially planned to incorporate the seaplane operation in the development. But the seaplane base lost out to the development of condos at the marina, according to the report.
Chelan Seaplanes has been in contact with the City of Chelan as well as the Port of Chelan to help them find a new permanent home for the seaplane service. "We are confident, with the support of the Stehekin businesses and residents along with those in the Chelan Valley that valued the service will help come together with a solution to restore the service and find a viable permanent home for the seaplane service. We will continue to pursue any viable options posed to restore the service. The valued service has been on the lake far to see it go away permanently," Carlen said.
In the meantime, the service has been suspended indefinitely. Chelan Seaplanes has posted an online petition to allow customers and residents to show support for its revival.
(Image included with Chelan Seaplanes petition page)
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