Cook County is blessed and cursed at the same time to rely on tourism for its economic well being. We are blessed, in that tourism provides many seasonal and sometimes year-round jobs. Employment that provides critically needed revenues for our residents, our small businesses, our tax-exempt organizations and our county in general.
We are cursed, in that a snowdeprived winter or rain and cold weather on critical summer festival weekends can spell the difference between a hugely successful season or event and one that barely pays the costs. For that reason, I encourage the hardworking and dedicated county board, a group of people that rarely receives enough credit for the enormous effort they bring to the table week after week, please do the math.
Setting aside parochial differences, please ask yourselves—will the residents of Cook County be better off in 10 years owning a community center costing $10 million, serving 3,000 to 5,000 individuals and requiring substantial taxpayer support every year? Or by supporting an expansion plan at Superior National at Lutsen Golf Course that brings in 20,000 or more tourists annually into our economy and not only makes money, but provides countless opportunities for county residents in the lodging and tourism industry?
Yes, I am biased. I am a golfer. I was hoping the county’s consultants would conclude that we in Cook County have a gem in the rough, a hidden economic treasure right here at the Superior National at Lutsen Golf Course.
I was not disappointed. The consultants confirmed what many of us firmly believe…that with sufficient capital, management, marketing and local pride, Superior National at Lutsen can—and should—be a hugely successful entity, rated among the top 10, if not higher, municipal golf courses in the country.
The intent is not to exclude Cook County, but to embrace it. Cook County is fabulous. Its people, its venue, its history, its culture. By directing the appropriate and required resources to Superior National at Lutsen now, Cook County can only prosper. It’s a win-win not only for us golfers, locals certainly included, but for everyone in Cook County. Especially us taxpayers!
Rob Ilstrup
Lutsen and Lake Elmo, MN
Leave a Reply