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Grand Marais Rec Park Director David Tersteeg reported that 2021 camping and boating revenue “is nearly all in and tracking to exceed last year’s total by 15 percent.”
That bit of good news came at the park board’s December 7 meeting.
Significant gains, said Tersteeg, could be attributed to being open for an entire season, plus “the pandemic driven demand for camping and boating and the perfect weather.”
Marina revenue increased 30 percent over 2020, marking the most significant rebound from the 2020 pandemic year.
While 2021 expenses were either tracked on the budget or were under budget, Tersteeg noticed some increases to fees the campground pays for the online, third-party booking machine and increases in bank fees for processing credit cards. “These (fees) reflect the shift to online booking and our big gains in revenue.”
Other expenses included capital improvements and an increase in employee wages. However, seasonal salary staff expenses were well under budget because the park was two to three employees short of an ideal crew of 15.
Reservations for June 2022 began on December 1. Bookings were steady for late June through the July 4th weekend. “We call these wraparound dates, said Tersteeg. “It’s a good way to get an early booking for July 4 before the January 1 opens for July arrival dates. We see this same phenomenon next month when folks book late July through early August (Fisherman’s Picnic weekend).”
Dave noted that it is a little “awkward when August arrival dates are released on February 1, and almost everything is already booked July 30-August 10.”
Gunflint Hills Golf Course
The city-owned golf course is up 50 percent over 2019 with 2021 gross revenue of $182,000 compared to $122,000 in 2019, Paul Jones first year running the golf course.
Membership increased from 65 to 88 over last year, and daily rounds were up over 2020, with only a few rainy days this past season. And while the sun shone, the lack of rain caused drought conditions. Jones said, “We came close to running out of water in our pond.” He recommended dredging the holding pond by the number four tee and adding depth to that pond and the pond by the second green and fifth fairway.
Over the last two years, an emphasis on improving the turf has helped draw more golfers to the course, said Jones, who noted he heard almost daily positive comments about the golf course.
Plans for next year include setting up leagues earlier and continuing promotions for city residents and students.
Other goals include: Focus on clubhouse staff; grow current membership; grow leagues by adding a women’s group; focus on tournaments and best-ball outings and focus on social media marketing to help bring new visitors and golfers to Gunflint Hills.
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