OBSERVER Photo by Natasha Matteliano Patrons from all over can pay to launch their boats into the lake.

HANOVER — The Hanover boat launch was updated and freshened up in 2019 and is going to continue to be updated in 2020.

“Our boat launch has not been updated in over 30 years, so it was long overdue,” said Todd Johnson, town of Hanover supervisor.

The boating launch originally opened on May 12, 1989, and has not been updated since, according to Lester Ormsby, former caretaker of the grounds. The getaway features four launching docks, a fish cleaning station and restroom facilities and there is room to park up to 90 trailers.

Last year, the boat launch was run by Larry Lazarczyk, an avid fisherman. Lazarczyk has spearheaded the effort to upgrade the launch with the approval and support of the Hanover town board.

The biggest improvement to the area are the new metal roofs for the fish cleaning station and the restrooms. Lazarczyk and his crew also repainted and refurbished many areas of the launch, including the steps, picnic tables and garbage cans. They also landscaped, decorated and installed a new flagpole, new signs, electric hand dryers and an ice machine.

“We had a great season last year,” Lazarczyk said. “Boats from all over western New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio launch here to access our great fishing area on Lake Erie. We had a steady season of kayaks and canoes launching.”

With the steady season of kayak launches and flocks of fishermen, the town is getting a grant in 2020 to build a kayak launch and a new fish grinder.

“It’s been a win-win for our taxpayers and local businesses,” Johnson said.