REPUBLICAN CITY, Neb. - A staple in Harlan County is getting a fresh new look.

North Shore Marina at Harlan County Lake has undergone a major series of upgrades just in time for the summer rush.

General Manager Jay Kunasek says nearly every part of the marina has seen improvements in the past couple of years, like new retaining walls and lighting, in addition to more substantial additions like new and upgraded boat slips, a revamped kitchen and additional space due to a recent dredging project.

The Marina flooded in 2019 and the damage was so devastating it forced the Marina into the various new construction that’s been going on ever since.

"The flood forced our hand to put the marina and the restaurant into the same building, and that ended up being a great move," said Kunasek.  

Officials say the upgrades are all part of the effort to improve the customer experience at the marina.

One of the standout features this season is the marina’s updated boat valet service.

"Guests can just use their phone and say that they want in the water that message goes out to all my tractor drivers who drive up and put them in the water it's that easy," said Kunasek. "You can just sit click a button and boom, there's a tractor to put you in."

The site also now features overnight slips with power hookups, improved Wi-Fi throughout the campground, and a floating ship store where boaters can grab essentials without leaving the water.

With nearly 40 seasonal employees and a growing number of work campers, the marina is ready to welcome visitors all summer long.

Kunasek believes the success of the marina is all due to the dedication of the staff, saying "I'm really proud of the people we have here, it's a pleasure to work with and go to battle with them every weekend."