Alabama creates weigh-in pavilion

Beeswax Landing now has improved facilities and a new weigh-in station for tournaments.

COLUMBIANA, Ala. — Bassmaster Classic champion Randy Howell served as the master of ceremonies for a ribbon cutting ceremony in November to introduce the new public-use weigh station at Beeswax Landing on Lay Lake.

The 2014 Classic champ also served as the tournament weigh master for the Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation High School Classic held on the same day at Beeswax Landing. The tournament drew 124 boats and was the first Alabama Nation event to use the new weigh station at the renovated park.

Since August 2013, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) has renovated the park by installing a four-lane boat ramp and ADA-compliant sidewalks and resurfacing the parking lot. The ADCNR, Alabama Power, B.A.S.S., Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation and Shelby County teamed up in recent months to design and build a 20- by 40-foot pavilion at Beeswax Landing.

“This facility is a strong example of community collaboration through public and private partners to make a lasting impact on our state’s natural resources,” said Matt Bowden, vice president of Alabama Power Environmental Affairs. “We are proud to be a part of this effort.”

The pavilion has water access and the capacity to hold fish tanks to help reduce stress on fish and increase release survival rates at the weigh-in site. The covered facility will also provide shade for the tournament weigh-in ceremonies. “There is a permanent structure in the center of the pavilion to put weigh-in scales,” said Eddie Plemons, president of the Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation.

Nation members who worked on securing a grant from Alabama Power to fund the pavilion project included Plemons, Mike Macon, the chapter’s vice president, and Shelby County officials Chad Scroggins and Larry Franks Jr, who are both members of the Blue Eye Bassmasters.

“This project began as a discussion about improving the quality of fishing we already enjoy in Alabama through a conservation partnership,” Plemons said. “A weigh station was a natural fit — providing facilities to the public that protect fish at the same time.

“I went to about 10 meetings with Alabama Power and different state agencies to get this approved,” Plemons said. “Once we got it approved, Shelby County and the state came in and did the work.”

Beeswax Landing served as the launch site for the 2010 Bassmaster Classic and has been a popular site for Alabama B.A.S.S. Nation tournaments, according to Plemons. He noted Alabama Power plans to work with the Alabama Nation on a couple more weigh-in facilities at other access areas in the state.