As municipal money makers go, it’s hard to top the earnings at the Grand Marais recreation park.
The total 2019 revenues from the operation of the Grand Marais campground, marina and golf course, brought in roughly $1.43 million, exceeding the budget project by 2.5 percent, said Parks and Recreation Director Dave Tersteeg.
Tersteeg presented the December 2019 parks report at the park board’s Tuesday, December 3 meeting.
Marina revenue fell 13 percent from the previous year. Tersteeg attributed much of that to decreased guest boater traffic, which resulted in fuel sales being down from 2018.
As for the campground, it was busier than ever. Revenue was up six percent over 2018, exceeding budget projections by 4.5 percent.
Business at Gunflint Hills golf course, revenue was up 25 percent from 2018.
“The golf revenue reflects increased rates and increased usage; total golf revenue missed revenue projections by eight percent,” Tersteeg said.
Campground
Tersteeg reported the re-numbered campground map is under final review, and there will be no more duplicate numbers in the 1-100 range.
The staff has been making a new website that will replace the 10-year-old version, he said. The new website is “optimized for mobile and still uses” in the Grand Marais recreation park.
The park staff will work with an engineering firm designing the new bathhouse 3, and staff will work with the environmental consultants on testing and assessments for the demolition of the old public works garage that will take place next spring.
Reservations for 2020 will begin Thursday, January 2, at 8 a.m. Tersteeg said this would be the first year the rec park offers online bookings starting at the opening bell. As usual, reservations will be taken in-person and on the phone on the opening day.
Gunflint Hills golf course
Located 3½ miles up the Gunflint Trail, the 9-hole par 36 city-owned golf course is 3,030 yards with three sets of tees. Much of the equipment used to maintain the golf course is old and in need of replacing. Gunflint Hills golf course superintendent Paul Jones came before the board to discuss some of those capital equipment needs.
The fairway mower needs to be replaced, he said, along with some of the older golf carts.
Jones said a new fairway mower costs about $50,000. During his search for a replacement of the current mower, he found a couple of options, in particular, a 2014 Toro 3550, which is a small, lightweight fairway unit.
The Toro mower has all-wheel drive and is versatile for fairway slopes, tees, collars, and aprons, he said. Cost to purchase the Toro 3550, which has 1,258 hours, is $22,500.
However, Jones told the park board he had found two used fairway mowers that are now listed for $25,000.
“I’m looking at a really good deal here,” Jones said, adding that at $12,500 each, he didn’t know how long it would be before someone else purchased them.
The two mowers come from a private golf course in Iowa. They were new in 2013 but only have 1,800 hours on them, he said, and according to the owner, the mowers have been well maintained, sharpened, and are ready to go.
The park board gave Jones the okay to travel to Iowa and inspect the mowers and purchase them if they were indeed a good deal.
Golf carts
“We need 18 quality golf carts. The current fleet is on its way out,” said Jones, adding, “We don’t have anything from this century.”
Tersteeg said the golf course made $25,000 in profit last summer by renting golf carts, so it was essential to make sure there were quality rentals for the public.
A discussion ensued about purchasing or leasing either electric or gas golf carts. Jones said most municipal golf courses use gas-powered golf carts. He had some initial cost to lease or buy used (2016) golf carts, but Tersteeg said that conversation could hold until more information was learned about the best options for the golf course.
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