Staff
Borderland residents will have a new way to cruise around Rainy Lake as Voyageurs National Park is set to launch its new 49-passenger tour boat tomorrow.
“What we’re very excited about is we haven’t had a large tour boat on Rainy Lake for a number of years now, so this is going to allow us to get many more visitors out into the park,” said Kathleen Przybylski, management assistant for VNP.
“We’ll be able to accommodate large groups, school groups,” she noted.
“So we’re just very excited about having this kind of boat back in the park, and offering it to our visitors.”
The dedication ceremony for “The Voyageur” is slated to take place at 9 a.m. at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center dock area, and will include various officials, such as local Congressman Jim Oberstar, who will get the first official tour ride.
Then starting at 1 p.m., free half-hour tours will run on the hour, with the last one leaving at 6 p.m.
Free tours also will be offered on Sunday and Monday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
“The Voyageur” came to be after numerous proposal submissions, Przybylski explained, adding the funding finally came through last year.
“The company who built it is called Armstrong Marine and they’re based out of Port Angeles, Wash.,” she noted.
“And they built the boat in record time, it seems, because they started last spring and it was delivered here at the end of August.
“And once it passed all its Coast Guard tests and passed all those trials, it was approved for giving passenger rides.”
Those interested in taking the tour can make reservations by calling 1-218-283-9400.
While reservations aren’t required, Przybylski cautioned a seat on the boat for “walk-ons” isn’t guaranteed.
In other news, VNP is premiering the movie, “Minnesota’s National Parks Legacy,” tonight at 7 p.m. at the Backus community centre in International Falls.
It also will be running at the park’s two visitor centers over the next few days.
