The park was busy, the staff was busy at the Grand Marais Recreation Area this summer, Manager Dave Tersteeg reported to the park board on October 2, 2012.
This September’s income was up 20 percent over last September.
Year-to-date revenue through September was $898,709, up 5 percent over last year, with monthly campsite rentals up 10 percent, harbor income up 15 percent, daily campsite rental up 18 percent, and fuel sales up 30 percent.
“We had record heat in the south and drought and we were reasonably cool,” Tersteeg said. He said the WTIP Radio Waves music festival and North House Folk School’s Unplugged weekend brought in people. Contractors working throughout the county are also using the campground for short-term housing, Tersteeg said.
Portions of the park continued with full service through MEA weekend October 18-21.
Golf course in the fall
Gunflint Hills Golf Course Manager Mike Kunshier reported year-to-date revenue of $152,093, almost 12 percent higher than last year.
Solar panels had been installed at the golf course and would soon be wired, Kunshier said. The electricity generated by the solar panels will go into the Cook County electrical grid.
Ideas for pool building
Attendance and revenue were down about 10 percent at the Grand Marais Municipal Pool, Head Lifeguard Charles Christiansen reported. Board member Tracy Benson suggested the nice summer and early fall weather may have had something to do with lower pool attendance. Christiansen concurred, saying that no one wants to be inside when it’s nice outside.
The pool has saved $20,000 in propane after the installation of new boilers, Tersteeg reported.
Board member Robin DuChien proposed an idea for use of the pool building after the county builds a new community center and pool facility at the Cook County Schools complex. We need a new office and bathhouse, she said. Why not use the pool building for those things instead of tearing it down?
Manager Tersteeg said the check-in traffic would still be tight at that location, the water table is high and “percolates” under the foundation, and the building need rehabbing. He said it could perhaps be used as an outdoor pool, although it would probably operate under a deficit like the current pool. The Master Plan calls for the parking lot to continue to be used for parking.
Board members expressed interest in discussing what could be done with the current building. Let’s not spend $50-, $60-, or $100,000 to get a consultant to tell us what we need, Mianowski said.
Mutt mitts
Tracy Benson said that area business owners have expressed “lots of interest” in helping encourage dog owners to clean up after their dogs around town. Some merchants have offered to pay for dispenser boxes that could be placed on light poles (with the businesses advertised on the boxes).
The board talked about people who do not clean up after their dogs even though dispensers are already located throughout the rec park, in Harbor Park, at Coast Guard Point, and in Boulder Park. Benson said hotels have told her they give “mutt mitts” out to their guests as well.
Board member Sally Berg said she has had friends say this is the most dog-friendly town they’ve ever been in.
Tersteeg said the park just spent $800 buying 1,500 plastic bags for the dispensers already around town.
The board took no action but will discuss the issue again at future meetings.
Community Connection
Work on the “Community Connection” pathway from Highway 61 into the east side of the park was slated to begin this fall. Local contractors Edwin E. Thoreson Inc. and Skadberg Masonry will do the work.
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