By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Marion County Park and Lake might get a new heated fishing dock to replace one pulled loose from its moorings and rammed against the shore during a July 4 storm.

Park and lake superintendent Isaac Hett told county commissioners the dock is covered under the county’s insurance plan.

Hett had Chuck Maltbie, owner of Wichita company Home Resort Inc., look at the dock two weeks ago. Maltbie suggested the county build a new dock instead of trying to repair the damaged one.

“We had four cables and four steel pipes were keeping it in place,” Hett said. “They all broke that night.”

Hett said the insurance adjuster told him to get two more estimates on the cost to repair or replace the dock, and he is looking to find contractors who will come give estimates.

Commissioners have discussed repairs needed to the dock, which already had damage to its walls and outer walking deck. State law, however, required the Styrofoam flotation devices that kept the dock afloat to be replaced with modern flotation devices at the same time. That replacement would be costly.

“We’ve talked about the heated dock for several years now, and it is an asset,” commissioner Kent Becker said.

Becker asked if lake staff is keeping people off the dock and if it should be hauled onto shore.

Hett said it’s secure where it is.

“I guess at this point we’ll wait on the insurance, and then we’ll go from there,” Becker said.