The Grand Marais Park Board news most pertinent to the community right now was probably summed up in a statement by Park Manager Dave Tersteeg at the end of the December 1 board meeting: “The sliding hill is now officially open!”
With the North House Winterer’s Gathering over, the slow season at the park has begun. Theboard spent its December meeting looking at the past season and making decisions for the next.
The new ice cream freezer in the park office brought in about $1,000, even though it wasn’t in place until the end of June. Wood sales were up 40% this last summer. Tersteeg surmised this was because of a ban on importing firewood and because of the cold summer.
Pool
Pool attendance was down 177 people this November compared to last, Tersteeg reported, mostly from Grand Marais residents. One thing different from last year is that the pool is closing an hour earlier, 7:00 p.m. instead of 8:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, although Tersteeg did not attribute the decline in visitation to the new schedule. ThisNovember’s income was up $400 over last November’s, however, due to membership purchases.
Tersteeg was optimistic about the pool. “It’s been a good year,” he said, with income up over last year and a projected net loss lower than expected.
People looking for stocking stuffers may want to take advantage of the pool’s annual ticket book 20% off sale to be held December 12-24.
Theholidays will have expanded hours, with the pool open Christmas Eve from 8:00 to 11:00 a.m. for adults and 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for open swim. While the school kids are on break the week of December 28 through January 1, open swim will start at 1:00 p.m.
Two preschool swimming classes will be starting January 4 for kids ages three to five. They will be held Mondays and Wednesday from 4:30 to 5:30 and from 5:30 to 6:30. Those interested can call the pool at 387-1275 to register.
With the passage of the countywide 1% sales and use tax that will fund a new community center/pool complex on county property, Tersteeg will be starting to transition programming details such as swim lesson registration to Cook County Community Education.
2010 rates
The board spent most of the December 1 meeting setting prices for 2010. One theme of the discussion was a desire on the part of the park board to go easy on rate increases since the economy is in a slump.
The board voted to continue offering Gunflint Hills Golf Course passes to campground guests at half price. The park will reimburse the golf course for its discounts to campground guests.
Gunflint Hills’ course fees are lower than Silver Bay and Two Harbors’ rates, Tersteeg said. Golf Course Manager Mike Kunshier said the course offers great deals for Canadians as well.
The board spent considerable time discussing campground rate issues, such as how much to raise rates for next season and whether to continue to include taxes in the advertised price. Todd Miller said he hoped the decisions they made would help attract new people to the campground.
The price for overnight tent sites not on the lake was reduced from $27 to $23. Thatsection of the park averages only 26% occupancy, and state parks charge $20 for similar sites, Tersteeg said.
The busiest sites are those with electricity, water, and sewer, which have 98% occupancy during July and August. Daily rates for these sites will be $35 next summer, up from $34.27 in the 2009 season. Daily rates for lakeside tent sites will $29 next year, up from $28.86 this year. Sites with electricity and water will be $32 a day, up from $31.57 this year.
Up to four adults will be able to stay at a site at the basic daily price. Up to two more adults can be added at a cost of $4 per person. The basic daily price also includes one vehicle and one boat with a trailer. One extra vehicle and one extra boat with a trailer will be allowed at a cost of $6 each.
A weekly rate discount will continue next year with seven nights for the price of six.
The board voted to not include tax when posting camping rates as was done previously. Walt Mianowski said most places add tax to the posted price.
Seasonal rates (stays of two months or longer) will go up one percent. One-month stays will cost $100 more than the monthly rates for seasonal stays.
The board considered charging an extra fee for pets but decided against it. Tersteeg said he wouldn’t want to charge campers to walk their dogs through the park if people from outside the campground could do the same thing at no charge.
Daily boat docking rates will remain the same next summer. Monthly rates will be raised $.50 per foot.
Open moorings
One private mooring holder lost his spot in the harbor this year because it was not used, Tersteeg said. The park will now be able to rent out that mooring. In a future meeting the board will discuss that and other moorings the park has regained and where they could be placed most safely. Tersteeg said some moorings in the northeast corner would be better in a different part of the harbor.
Park board opening
Board Chair Lindsay Mielke said her term expires at the end of this month and she has decided after much thought not to pursue another term at this time. The board thanked her for her contributions.
Walt Mianowski’s term is ending as well, but he said he would consider serving another a three-year term.
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