NATIONAL CITY – Randy and Sandi Ivanciw have docked boats at marinas in Chesapeake Bay on the East Coast, Lake Mead in Nevada and San Diego Bay, but say National City has them all beat.

With 250 slips, two shower rooms, a boaters lounge, laundry facility, community room, fitness center and a one-bedroom rental apartment for visitors, the Pier 32 Marina sold itself, they said.

“We came down just to take a look and said, 'Wow,' ” said Sandi Ivanciw, who was aboard the couple's 36-foot Marine Trader Europa on Monday with their two Labradors, Binky and Wacky. “The amenities are amazing.”

Pier 32 Marina Group LLC, the developer, is operating under a 40-year lease with the Unified Port of San Diego, which owns the property and other nearby tidelands, including adjacent Pepper Park. The park is 5.5 acres along the Sweetwater River with picnic areas, boat-launching facilities and a fishing pier, where an upgraded aquatics center is planned.

Pier 32 Marina facts Pier 32 Marina is National City's first public waterfront facility for boaters in San Diego Bay. The grand opening was Aug. 16. Tenant amenities include shower rooms, a boaters lounge, laundry, fitness center, rental apartment for visitors, concrete docks, security cameras and storage lockers. Tenants and the public have access to community rooms, a sandy area with beach chairs and umbrellas, outdoor seating and, soon, an open-air deli. The marina, which has been open for two months, is expected to be at capacity by December.

Pier 32 is the only marina in National City, a city with 3.1 miles of shoreline but no public access to its bayfront. San Diego Naval Base at 32nd Street occupies 1.9 miles of the city's coast, providing support for ships in the Pacific Fleet's surface force. The port controls 1.2 miles, leasing land to an auto distributor, a lumber company and about five other businesses.

“Every inch of it is blocked off,” Mayor Ron Morrison said. “The public has no access to our bayfront at all. This project finally gives National City residents access to the bay. Our children can at least touch water.”

Eric Leslie, Pier 32 project manager, said the marina has been open for two months and has 80 percent of its slips committed. He said about 60 percent of the marina, which can accommodate boats from 20 to 120 feet long, is filled now. He expects to be at capacity by December.

Other amenities include concrete docks; a putting green with a sand trap; a small, sandy area with beach chairs and umbrellas; a picnic area with a barbecue grill; 27 security cameras; and indoor and outdoor storage lockers. There also is commercial space available for lease, and plans for an open-air deli.

Morrison said Pier 32 is unique among San Diego marinas because of the large amount of available land the port incorporated into the project to provide the many amenities. The public can visit the marina, sit on the sandy beach and eat lunch at tables overlooking the marina. A card-key system is required for access to areas such as the fitness room and docks.

The marina is awaiting approval from the California Coastal Commission for a Jacuzzi, pool and better fencing. Pier 32 officials want a more decorative fence than the chain-link one now surrounding the property.

The port spent $8 million to dredge the bay. So far, Pier 32 Marina Group has spent more than $10 million to build the project.

Morrison said that while National City's financial contribution was minor, city officials wanted to make the new marina easily accessible to residents.

“It's going to be a huge destination site,” the mayor said. “The design work that went into the project, the added expense – this is the future of National City. This is the expectation of what's to come.”

Bob Dorman, who lives in University Heights and docks his 37-foot Beneteau sailboat at Pier 32, said he had docked at a San Diego marina before finding out about National City's new marina.

“This is a way-nicer place,” said Dorman, who spent a few hours Monday cleaning up his boat and working out in the gym while his Labrador, Sis, lounged nearby.

Dorman said the prices are better, too. Monthly fees are based on boat size, ranging from $12 per foot for boats measuring 28 to 31 feet, to $15.50 per foot for vessels from 60 to 63 feet.

Pier 32's amenities also include big-screen TVs, 24-hour security and high-speed Internet and phone connections. Additionally, drought-resistant landscaping abuts the nearby Sweetwater Marsh.

“It's beautiful,” said Robert “Dukie” Valderrama, who represents National City on the port commission board. “I would put our National City marina against any in the county. It's the first marina to be built in the last 15 years, and it's really state of the art.”

Construction is under way on a $30 million hotel project on Bay Marina Drive financed by the Sycuan Indian band that the city hopes will provide an attractive entrance to the new marina area.

Across from the hotel project are three large lots where the city hopes to put restaurants for residents and visitors. Finally, the city is in discussion with the port about a new aquatics center building and other improvements at Pepper Park, next to Pier 32.

“A lot of people won't come down here, but this is the best place to go,” said Pier 32 tenant Dorman, who sails as often as he can. “You head out into the bay and there's nothing breaking your wind. It's great.”

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Janine Zuniga: (619) 498-6636; janine.zuniga@uniontrib.com