NORTHUMBERLAND, Pa. — There's not much happening in this section of Pineknotter Park in Northumberland at the moment, but if the Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society has its way, this spot will be the site of the area's newest paddlewheel riverboat.
"We'll be constructing a docking site, and we'll have a little recreational area here, a ticket booth, picnicking area, gazebo, walking trails," Angela Troutman of the Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society said.
The nonprofit group has been trying to bring a riverboat to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River since 2016. Organizers say they will build a boat this summer here at the site in Northumberland.
"Bring in some welders and simply fuse them together and then use that as a platform in which to build the cabin and the pilot house," Bob Lagerman of the Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society said.
Organizers say the boat will be similar to the Hiawatha in Williamsport. The boat will run when the river's fabridam is inflated so the water is deep enough.
"We'll be able to go almost to the new bridge that crosses the highway at the West Branch and then down to the fabridam. So, it's about a five-mile trail," Troutman said.
People can rent out the riverboat for a number of things.
"Weddings, reunions, meetings, and our biggest feature will be our educational programs," Troutman said.
The project has a big price tag—nearly $1 million. The nonprofit recently got a grant from the Degenstein Foundation for $350,000. Organizers are confident they will raise the rest of the money.
"We'll pursue it until we have it," Lagerman said.
Organizers plan to launch the riverboat in the spring or summer of 2025.
If you'd like to donate, you can send a check to:
Central Susquehanna Riverboat Society
P.O. Box 304
Northumberland, PA 17857