A major piece of infrastructure at Cobourg Harbour is being replaced as the Town of Cobourg moves ahead with a $412,000 project to install a new F Dock at the marina.
The project, funded entirely through the Town’s Marina Reserve as part of the approved 2026 Budget, will see the existing dock removed and replaced with a new structure, including associated electrical and water connections.
Town officials say the investment is necessary to maintain safe and reliable marina infrastructure after the existing F Dock reached the end of its anticipated service life.
Originally constructed in 1991, the dock had reached its expected 35-year lifespan. Although the wooden decking was replaced approximately 10 years ago to extend its usefulness, the underlying steel pontoons supporting the structure continued to deteriorate.
Recent inspections identified significant corrosion and deterioration along the waterline of the steel pontoons.
In one particularly concerning example, inspectors discovered 28 holes in a single pontoon. The holes were temporarily patched with epoxy to allow the dock to remain in service throughout the 2026 boating season.
However, the deterioration had progressed to the point where the steel was flaking away by hand, making further repairs an impractical long-term solution.
The replacement dock is being supplied by Kropf Industrial, a Canadian manufacturer located in Seguin, near Parry Sound, Ontario. The company manufactures its products entirely in Canada.
As part of the project, the contractor will remove the existing F Dock and transport it for scrap. The removal and disposal costs are included in the overall project budget.
The $412,000 investment covers the new dock, associated hydro and water hookups, materials and installation labour.
The Town was also able to achieve cost savings by reusing the existing electrical power pedestals rather than purchasing new ones.
Only F Dock being replaced
While the project represents a significant investment in the marina, it does not involve replacing all the docks.
The Town confirmed that F Dock is the only dock included in the current project.
Other docks at the marina are also aging and will require replacement in the coming years. However, there is currently no additional dock replacement funding budgeted for 2027.
Future replacements will be considered and incorporated into the Town’s 10-year capital forecast, allowing the municipality to take a phased approach to renewing its marina infrastructure.
The replacement of F Dock is considered an important investment in maintaining the harbour’s facilities and ensuring Cobourg Harbour can continue serving boaters and visitors for years to come.
For now, the $412,000 project addresses one aging section of the marina, while the condition and eventual replacement of the remaining docks will be considered as part of the Town’s longer-term capital planning.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
