Quick Launch countdown

COEUR d’ALENE — It was 18 degrees, snow was falling Thursday morning and work was continuing on schedule on the Hagadone Marine Group’s Quick Launch facility.

A timer in the construction site office is counting down to the April 1 grand opening.

“Everything’s been on time,” said Craig Brosenne, president of the Hagadone Marine Group. “That’s what’s making this project work out so well, all the pre-planning.”

The $15 million project on Blackwell Island rises to 60 feet and offers nearly 50,000 square feet of indoor, vertical dry boat slips to house 380 boats within a five-story custom racking system.

As Brosenne and Quick Launch manager Alex Haynes tour the construction site Thursday, they like what they see.

Some 50 workers each day — electricians, plumbers, steelworkers and more — are keeping things on track.

• Steel work of the main Quick Launch building is complete.

• Foundation for the clubhouse has begun.

• Storage building is more than 60% complete.

Details matter.

Brosenne points out where the storage units will be, describes the amenities that will be in the 2,800-foot clubhouse and explains how quickly boats will be transferred to the docks for a day on Lake Coeur d’Alene.

A concierge service and plenty of parking will also be available for Quick Launch members.

“This was a long time in the planning,” Brosenne said.

Hagadone Marine Group has more than 200 reservations for the Quick Launch program and is saving others to give boat buyers at its upcoming boat expo the option to reserve a vertical dry boat slip.

“Let them have the opportunity to have access to the water,” Brosenne said.

John Barlow, company representative, is supervising construction. The design team includes Welch Comer Engineering and architect Kol Nelson of BP Design Works. The project general contractor is T.W. Clark Construction of Spokane.

The Quick Launch is considered a game-changer in the boating industry. It allows members to call ahead so their boat will be ready and waiting at a slip for a day on the water when they arrive.

Boats are stored inside, out of the elements, so they will always be clean and maintained. It also meets a rising demand for boat slips.

“This facility will be state-of-the-art from top to bottom,” Brosenne said.

He praised Barlow and Craig Turner, T.W. Clark Construction superintendent, for their attention to timeliness, quality and budget “in one of the toughest construction markets in decades."

“At a time when we are all facing supply-chain shortages, John has vigilantly planned ahead for these challenges,” he said.

Brosenne also credited Brad Hagadone, company owner, for his leadership.

“After many years of planning this project with Brad, we are thrilled to provide our community with such an innovative facility that showcases features and details that will set new standards in the boating industry. Brad and the Hagadone family have continued to invest in and cultivate the roots of our company."