Compared to previous seasons, business is up substantially at the Grand Marais Recreational Park, said Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg to the Grand Marais Park Board at its July 7, 2015 meeting.
May revenue was up 40 percent with daily overnight guest stays up 70 percent, and, said Tersteeg, June wasn’t far behind with a revenue increase of 13 percent, about $20,000 more than last year. The biggest gains, said Tersteeg, “have been coming from the daily sites, which are up 27 percent over 2014, and monthly site revenues are up 6 percent over last year.”
What is this attributed to? Tersteeg was asked.
“The biggest gains are in the daily rates, which are up over 30 percent in revenues. Weekly rate revenues are actually down 21 percent over last year.
“Year-to-date revenue through the end of June is $332,655; up almost 18 percent versus 2014,” said Tersteeg. “We are benefiting from a combination of increased occupancy and strategic rate adjustments.”
But as Tersteeg noted, the park board eliminated the weekly discount rate on prime lakeside sites. “These top performing sites are no longer showing up as ‘weekly’ revenue if they are rented for seven plus nights and we are no longer offering the 15 percent discount for extended stays,” he said. This has resulted in a $50,000 increase in daily revenue, which, said Tersteeg, more than makes up for the $6,000 decline in weekly revenue.
Fisherman’s Picnic activities okayed
With one stipulation, the park board approved a special event permit application from the Grand Marais Lions Club so it could use the park ball field for its Fisherman’s Picnic softball tournament.
Because the ball field fence is short for a softball field, two claims in past years were filed against the city for damage caused by balls that flew out over the fence and hurt a trailer and a car.
“The Lions’ insurance wouldn’t pay the claims,” said Tersteeg.
Board Member Kaye Tavernier made a motion seconded by Reid Dusheck and approved by the board to approve the use of the ball field with the stipulation that any damage caused by the softball tournament be paid by the Lions Club, and not by the city.
The board also gave the Lions permission to shoot fireworks off from the boat landing near the dog pound and to allow vendors to set up in the Harbor Park and to allow porta-potties in Harbor Park over the four days of the Fisherman’s Picnic.
Gunflint Hills coming back
Gunflint Hills Golf Course greens that were damaged this winter are starting to come back,” said Board Chair Walt Mianowski, who plays often on the course. Last month Gunflint Hills Manager Mike Kunshier said that greens 2,4, and 9 were making the best progress and greens 6 and 1 weren’t far behind. Only greens 5, 7, and 8 are being stubborn, he noted.
Tersteeg said marina operations “are fully up to speed and the busy season is upon us. We have an excellent team of seasonal workers who are all doing their best.”
New park facilities manager
With the resignation of Park Facilities Manager Dave Hepler last month Tersteeg announced that Aaron Poznanovic had been hired to take his position.
Tersteeg said that nine people applied for the job and five people were interviewed. Poznanovic spent three summers working at the park from 2009 to 2011 and has recently received a master’s degree in global information systems, Tersteeg said.
Leave a Reply