For those who enjoy fishing, a new floating fishing dock has been installed at Chandler’s old lake, due to the efforts of the Chandler Lions Club.
Keith Duncan, president of the club explained, “We try to do something whenever we can for the community. We have an active Lions Club and haven’t done a major project for a couple of years,” he added.
Duncan said the old lake has become known as “Bell Calf Lake,” and is excellent for crappie and big catfish.
Bell Cow Lake, the newer lake, is more known for its bass fishing, Duncan said.
He noted the club came up with the idea of the new floating fishing dock last November.
“The old dock was dilapidated and closed for a couple of years. People love to go there and fish,” he said.
Duncan stressed, “This project didn’t cost the city of Chandler a penny. The maintenance costs will be zero, too,” he noted.
“We (the Lions Club) paid for it,” he said.
“The new dock is a 12 feet by 24 feet platform and it extends 80 feet out into the water. There are two 40 feet walkways, it’s a floating dock,” Duncan reiterated.
He emphasized, too, “It’s very well built. The boards won’t rot, they are fiber boards and will last a long time.”
A firm from Eufaula, Dry Dock, manufactured it and installed it all. “With the supply chain right now, it slowed them down some. They were hoping to get it in several weeks ago,” Duncan said.
“It took them three days to install it,” he stated.
Duncan said the Lions Club paid $23,000 for the project. “That was everything,” he related.
He believes, “This will increase fishing opportunities at the old lake. The kids love it and it’s for all the people.”
Duncan pointed out people enjoy coming to the old lake to fish, since it’s not as crowded as the new lake.
Lions Club member Brian Bendele brought his two boys out to fish last week when the club members gathered at the dock. “After we left, both boys caught a fish,” Duncan said.
He emphasized, “We have to thank the citizens of Chandler for supporting us. Among some of the other projects the Lions Club has and does take on include the Splash Pad, scholarships for high school students, school supplies for elementary students.
One of the recent fundraisers Duncan pointed to was at last weekend’s Ice Cream Festival in Chandler. “We had a booth and were selling pulled pork sandwiches,” he said.