PAAEDC launches boat launch project / By Martha Knight

A “primitive” boat launch will be created in Roulette, funded locally instead of “waiting for grants,” the Port Allegany Area Economic Development Corp. decided at its April meeting last Thursday night.

Meeting in the borough building, the heard its water trails committee, headed by Billy Burleson, and others discuss the need for a boat launch up river from Port Allegany.

Roulette was said to be a good location, with likelihood of sufficient depth for canoes and kayaks to traverse from there to Port Allegany and onward, on the Allegheny River, for the spring-summer-fall season.

Other factors favoring the Roulette site in question is that it is owned by Roulette Township and the local government is “on board,” Burleson explained.

Dave Bressan of Froggy Bottom River Outfitters and Bob Veilleux described the construction of the boat launch that will be constructed. A prefabricated “honeycomb” lattice and plastic netting secure rocks to create a gently sloping, stabile approach to the river’s edge.

In a primitive launch site there will be a path, rather than a paved area, used as an appriach. Other amenities might be added later. Also, other launch locations will be considered, if interest in the local water trail continues and increases, the group said.

The possibility of providing water trail or water recreation facilities as part of the design for the new dike in Port Allegany has been broached to the borough, according to the group’s treasurer, Sue Carlson.

Members present voted to fund the new boat launch up to $6,000. President Jim Carlson ruled that the vote was unanimous.

Veilleux, of the Potter County Education Council, presented a PowerPoint overview of the need for a community college in an 11-county region that includes most of northwest Pennsylvania and borders New York State.

Veilleux said state Senator Joe Scarnati and Assemblyman Marty Causer are sponsors of enabling legislation in their respective houses. “The stars are aligned now,” Veilleux said, with better chances of approval of such a facility than in many years.

There would have to be a physical base for the institution, Veilleux said, but courses could be presented in many existing facilities throughout the area, such as the Seneca Highlands Career and Technical Center. Distance or online learning would be utilized for some courses.

The group’s next meeting will be May 8, when Sustainable Main Street will be a discussion topic.