The Boat Basin and Amphitheater is a marina and 1,000 seat entertainment facility that was built as part of urban renewal. The boat basin was completed in October 1971, with the amphitheater and boat basin building added later. Poggemayer Design Group designed the Boat Basin Marina Building, Amphitheater and ODNR Boat Ramplocated across the river. In the video John Dutt, whose grandparents and parents owned Huron's funeral home, explains how the boat basin project helped fund urban renewal.
City Manager Dean Sheldon deemed the boat basin "the central feature of the entire 26 acre urban redevelopment project in downtown Huron."The Huron Boat Basin Marina building was completed in 2001. The building faces the Huron River and Lake Erie and is adjacent to the marina and the amphitheater. The building has restrooms, showers, lounge areas, staff offices, a small retail shop, and decks.A dedication ceremony took place at the future site of the boat basin in 1968, but construction did not begin until 1970. When completed a year later, the city held a 'letting in of the waters" ceremony on October 23, 1971.The event featured Adam Beckloff, who at 92 was the oldest living former mayor of Huron at the time. The Boat Basin was filled with 10,375,000 gallons of water from the Huron River.The Boat Basin Amphitheater was designed to capitalize on the topography of the site, the views of the lake and river, the business activity of the downtown, and the pedestrian and boating activities of the marina. Numerous concerts and other events are held at the amphitheater. (Sue Shamhart photo)
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