With snow back in the forecast it might seem odd to be talking about golf, but Gunflint Hills Golf Course Superintendent Mike Kunshier addressed the Grand Marais Park Board at its April 5 meeting and told the board he was preparing for what he hopes will be a good summer of play.
“I checked the greens and they look great,” said Kunshier, just back from his winter down south. “There was only ice on Number 2, but there is always ice on hole number 2 and I don’t know why. Still, it was honeycombed and I dug below it and found green underneath.”
Kunshier announced that Rob Staples had retired after serving as groundskeeper the past 15 years. An ad is being placed in the newspaper to find a replacement for the popular groundskeeper.
As far as replacing old equipment, Kunshier said the gang mowers, which are pulled behind a tractor and used to mow the rough, are between 40 and 60 years old. “They don’t mow very well anymore. They need new coaster wheels and replacement parts are hard to find,” he said.
When asked about cost to replace the gang mowers, Kunshier said he had looked into purchasing quality used mowers from other golf courses for anywhere from $10,000 to $17,000. New mowers cost $50,000 to $60,000, he said. “If we buy used we will get a better deal than buying something new,” he added.
The board agreed to look at the golf course’s capital budget at the next meeting and decide if they can afford to purchase a replacement for the gang mowers this summer.
As far as when the golf course will be opened for play, Kunshier predicted May 13, but he added that was just a guess.
Big Blue Event Tent
After quite a bit of discussion the park board passed a policy for putting up and taking down the park’s big blue tent in Harbor Park. The tent is used for special events.
Under the new policy the park staff will have sole discretion over the set-up and take down of the tent based on wind and weather conditions.
In the past it was discovered that if the wind was blowing too hard the tent would—or could—rip if it wasn’t taken down in time.
The set-up fee will be collected if the tent is deployed and it will be non-refundable, even if the tent has to come down early due to the wind and weather.
Last, but not least, all groups will pay a set-up fee for tent use during their event, except for the Grand Marais Lions Club, which made a $1,500 donation at the time of the purchase for use of the tent during Fisherman’s Picnic.
After some discussion the board decided to charge $50 per day to have the tent put up in Harbor Park.
Occupancy and electricity reviewed
Dave Tersteeg said that March revenue was 67 percent higher than last March, largely due to a full payment by two guests for the season.
“Overnight reservations continue to be strong for March, up roughly 20 percent from last year,” Tersteeg said. “Year-to-date revenue for the first three months stands at $71,841, up 22 percent versus 2015. We are seeing strong growth in the shoulder season bookings and new customers are finding us online.
“Nordic Electric spent several days in March replacing 38 electrical receptacles at site pedestals that rated poorly after a comprehensive inventory conducted last fall. We will continue to inspect, inventory and replace receptacles as needed in RV pedestals,” Tersteeg said.
With favorable weather, Tersteeg said the staff would start to open the water systems towards the end of April. “The plan is to have bathhouse 1 and 4 open early May with bathhouse 2 and 3 coming online by Victoria Day weekend, May 20.” Park office remodel to begin soon
It’s taken several months, but Tersteeg said he finally received one quote from a Duluth contractor to renovate the exterior of the park office. Although four local contractors were contacted, none submitted a bid.
Builders Commonwealth quoted $68,910 to remove and replace the siding, install wind and water barriers, install ¾-inch Styrofoam sheathing, remove and replace 13 double hung windows with Marvin integrity double hung windows, remove and replace two exterior doors and storm doors and screen, install new trim and caulk new siding and trim as required.
Tersteeg said his staff would stain the siding, which will save $4,400. Upon Tersteeg’s recommendation, the board awarded the bid to Builders Commonwealth. They hope to start April 18 and finish around May 31.
In other business
Tersteeg reported that the marina had been recertified as a Minnesota Clean Marina (MCM) on March 22. He said the marina undergoes inspection and recertification every three years.
▶ On Saturday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. park and East Bay Suites staff will lead a Spring Beach Sweep in conjunction with the Great Lakes Alliance and its Adopt-a-Beach program. Tersteeg said volunteers are encouraged to help clean up the beaches around town and added, “We will supply the bags, gloves, etc. Harbor Park will be the event’s headquarters for volunteer check-in. East Bay Suites will host a beach party later in the day.”
For more information about the Adopt-a-Beach event,
please go online at: www.greatlakesadopt.org/SecureEvent/10615
▶ The board approved special event applications for WTIP Community Radio for its Radio Waves Music Festival in September 2016 and for the Grand Marais Art Colony’s “Yarn Bombing” event in conjunction with the Grand Marais Arts Festival in July. Park Board Member Sally Berg made the request for the Northwoods Fiber Guild. She said the guild will decorate the bear tree statue in the park with yarn. She added that no harm would come to the statue.
▶ Park Manager Dave Tersteeg said, “We have to hire two seasonal maintenance workers, two front desk clerks and one groundskeeper for the golf course. Positions will be posted in the paper, online and on several bulletin boards around town. If anyone knows of good workers looking for summer jobs, please send them our way.
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