'They bought a nice well-oiled machine': Algonac Harbour Club now under new ownership
The Algonac Habour Club is now under new ownership, but boaters and community members may not notice the change.
Pete Beauregard Sr. founded his family’s full-service marina, 1999 Pointe Tremble Road, when they took the property on from the city of Algonac in 1985.
Although they didn’t have the site listed for sale, he said they were sought out privately earlier this year by Walstrom Marine, a boating services and storage company operational in locations around the state.
The acquisition was announced by Walstrom on July 21 after it closed.
“I think because I looked at my age, and decided that at 85, I probably should at least explore the opportunity. Because my wife and I are not getting any younger, although we are in good health. We’re also facing reality and said, ‘You know, it’s probably time to consider,’” Beauregard said Thursday. “So, we considered, and things worked out. We accepted the offer and moved forward.”
Since then, not much has changed, he said.
The classic Algonac Harbour Club name will remain — a more recent callback to the site much longer history as home to the original Chris-Craft factory, the marina’s deep-water wells, and its presence as a regular stop for boaters passing through each season.
Walstrom President Tom Ervin said in a statement the Algonac marina had the amenities and services need to appeal to “an engaged and loyal customer base.”
Beauregard said he’s been retained as a consultant for two years. All the harbor club’s employees have also been retained and are now working for Walstrom.
According to the company, that also includes General Manager Greg Macuga continuing to run day-to-day operations.
“They bought a nice well-oiled machine, and I think they’re pleased with it,” Beauregard said. “I think they’re going to grow it, hopefully, and improve. There’s always room for improvement.”
Existing owner ‘glad to see it carry on’
Beauregard said he was glad to see the transition through, adding, “I’m just glad to see it carry on, especially for my customers and employees. I just want them to be well-taken care of.”
He said his son, Pete Beauregard Jr. remains an investor in the outfit. Last month, Walstrom, too, reported Beauregard Jr. would retain an ownership position.
In addition to the Beauregards, the names of other families have also been tied to Walstrom and its operations — now including the Algonac marina.
According to a release, the acquisition follows an investment into the company last year from a group spearheaded by Continuum Venuturse, the family office of Doug and Maria DeVos.
“Our families share a love and passion for the Great Lakes, boating, and the marine industry,” Doug DeVos said in a statement, “and we see the Algonac Harbour Club as a strategic complement to the Walstrom business alongside our pursuit of growth through partnership and acquisition in the industry.”
Currently, Beauregard Sr. said they’re full every weekend with boaters and expected to see 1,000 to 1,200 boats from Memorial Day through Labor Day this year. They’ve 307 permanent slips, he said, plus room for transient boaters.
“They can reconfigure the property, so there is room for expansion,” he said of Walstrom.
“We do well during the week because there’s people traveling,” Beauregard said. “This is one of their favorite destinations to spend one or two or three days. This morning, we just had three boats leave and head north toward Port Huron.”
For more on the Algonac Habour Club’s storage building, gas dock, and other services, visit www.algonacharbourclub.com or call (810) 794-4448.
Contact Jackie Smith at (810) 989-6270 or jssmith@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @Jackie20Smith.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: Algonac Harbour Club now under new ownership
