With Dave Tersteeg off on a much needed vacation the park board decided to skip its September meeting and hold its monthly business get together in October.
In lieu of the missed assembly, Grand Marais Parks Manager Dave Tersteeg sent emails with pertinent information about the recreation park.
As of August 25, Tersteeg noted the park was up three percent over last year’s August.
Overall revenue is still down from last year because of the April, May, and half of June COVID-19 rules that allowed only a limited number of campers into the park. However, June, July and August of this year are all up from the year before, so the park revenue is trending in the right direction.
In his report to the board, Tersteeg noted expenses were almost dead-even at this point from 2019. Last year, the bills totaled $408,969 through August 18, and this year the tally is $408,103 through the same time.
Park staff held a budget work session with the Grand Marais City Council on Wednesday, August 26, and discussed a draft of the 2021 budget for the park. Tersteeg said the discussion focused on revenue trends in the age of COVID-19, adding there was general agreement that 2021 looks good for continued area operations and sustained growth.
Priorities for park improvements were also a main theme at the budget work session. There was strong support to rebuild bathhouse #3, along with improving campsites and the roads within the park.
On a sad note, WTIP’s Radio Waves will not take place this fall in the rec park. It will be the first time in 12 years the event was not held in the park.
Instead, Radio Wave’s will be held as an on-air concert, which will include a full line-up of bands performing from the radio station or from a studio. That will take place on Saturday, September 12.
On a happier note, the Plein Air Grand Marais outdoor painting competition week is set to take place from September 11 to September 18. There will be some in-person activities, but masks must be worn and the activities will only take place outdoors. The picnic pavilion will be in use by the painters during the whole competition week.
Gunflint Hills Golf Course will be the site of a September 12 golf tournament to benefit disabled veterans. The YMCA golf tournament was postponed in July but will now take place at Superior National this fall.
Park board needs new board member
“We are still seeking a replacement for the vacant seat on the Park Board,” Tersteeg said to his board in an email. “Perhaps we can have this appointment in time for our October meeting, at which time we will be determining our 2021 rates.”
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