The beloved Saskatoon attraction, Prairie Lily riverboat, will once again sail down the South Saskatchewan River with a new owner at the wheel.

Longtime Saskatoon resident Stephanie Simonot and her family are taking over from original owners Mike and Joan Steckhan.

“I didn’t want to see it go. I felt it was really important to try to put something together so that we can continue to have the Prairie Lily and continue to see it sailing up and down the South Saskatchewan,” said new owner of the Prairie Lily Stephanie Simonot.

Simonot will be sailing the beloved Saskatoon riverboat into its next chapter, crewed by her family to continue the legacy of the former owners.

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“The smile on my face tells the whole story. Captain Mike and I are very excited, very pleased that somebody wanted to continue the operation, and we’re really thankful that Stephanie stepped forward because she’s the right person to own this boat, and she’s got the right family to work with,” said Joan.

Simonot’s nephew, Sean Stevens, has been training with Captain Mike Steckhans to gain his captain’s licence.

“Never did I imagine that I’d be training to captain a boat, but thankfully, my aunt called me one day and she asked about whether or not I’d be willing to do it, and at that moment I said yes, absolutely,” said Stevens.

The new crew is expected to set sail this year with higher water levels from a record high snowpack.

“The big thing is that when those Rocky Mountains boom, that’s when you get your big flush and this has not happened in years,” said Cpt. Mike Steckhan.

The Steckhans and their crew will be on board to help Simonot on her maiden voyage while her family finishes their training.

They are looking forward to sailing one last season following last season’s low water levels leaving the ship docked.

“It’s good to know that we can provide the training and then when we do disappear into the sunset, as you say, the people that are going to carry on will be well trained and qualified,” said Capt. Steckan.

They will have the chance to enjoy the service they have provided since founding the Prairie Lily in 2012.

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