And after this season, they'll look just as nice the others.

Riverhead officials expect a long-awaited $1.69 million overhaul of the dilapidated, yet picturesque, town marina to begin after this boating season, around Nov. 1, and wrap up next March.

The revamped marina will boast sleek and symmetrical concrete docks, upgraded water and electrical systems and an additional 19 slips, town officials said.

"I think it's a long time coming and it's going to save money and labor in the long run, and we believe that the boaters are going to appreciate it," said Christine Fetten, an engineer with the town.

She said that although concrete docks are more expensive than wood, they last longer and require less maintenance.

But, with the new construction, the cost to keep a boat at East Creek Marina is expected to rise next year as the town pays back what it's borrowed for the project using cash from the higher dock fees and additional slips.

It currently costs $60 per foot to dock a boat at the rustic East Creek Marina, with an additional $200 charged for electrical service -- about half of what most North Fork marinas charge for boats slips.

Riverhead Supervisor Phil Cardinale noted that while costs will rise, the fees will still be lower than at private facilities.

"I would like to stay a little lower than the private sector, because this is a public facility, but we have to be relatively competitive to sustain the work that would be going on there, and the upkeep," said Riverhead Supervisor Phil Cardinale. "Otherwise, what are we subsidizing the guys who are rich enough to own a boat? Either way, it'll be a good deal for docking in this area."

Due to supply and demand, docking rates on the East End are much higher than in most areas of western Suffolk County, where public docking rates are also generally lower than those charged by their private counterparts.

Although the town has owned the land at the marina since the 1950s, it took over managing the more than 90 slips in early 2004 due to negligent leaseholders, officials said years back. But the future of East Creek Marina, built in a small tributary of Great Peconic Bay, quickly became a controversy when Town Board members disagreed on whether it made sense for a town to run a marina.

Councilwoman Barbara Blass was one of those in favor of having the town manage the facility. She said she's been "intimately involved" in the proposed renovation project as it has wended its way through Town Hall.

"We have a tremendous asset at East Creek and, as a self-sustaining operation, these much-needed improvements and enhancements are paid for by the fees collected," she said in an e-mail message. "When the project is finished, it will be a top-notch, safe and reasonably priced docking facility for our community."

Because of its affordability, the list of Riverhead residents waiting to park their boats at East Creek totals almost 200.

"Folks from 2004 are just getting in now, so based on that it's about a four-year wait," said Ray Coyne, who heads the town's recreation department. "There is a low turnover but the additional slips will help that."

Stan Cherouski, 77, of South Jamesport, who owns a 26-foot fishing boat, said he's been a mainstay at East Creek Marina since the 1950s.

During a chat in the back of his Massachusetts-made boat last week, he said he's been pleased with how the town has managed the facility.

"They keep the docks in repair as best they can," he said, adding that he's looking forward to the renovations.

"We're excited," he said. "It's one of the nicest marinas here on the North Fork."

"There are a couple of people not here this year," he later said, looking across the water to many of the same boats he's seen for several years. "I hope it's because of the gas prices and not health reasons."

mwhite@timesreview.com

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