During the dark, cold months in Grand Marais, it’s nice to be able to sit in the hot tub or chit chat with other community members in the evening at the Grand Marais Municipal Pool.
Head Lifeguard Charles Christiansen told the park board on August 2 that after last fall, winter, and spring when pool hours were shrunken by closing at 7 p.m. weekdays and 8 p.m. weekends, pool members are requesting that the pool not close so early this year when the “winter” hours begin again. Park Manager Dave Tersteeg supported this suggestion, especially since pool use has increased with the addition of log rolling and water fitness classes.
Sunday attendance has been very low in the winter months, Christiansen said, with maybe 25 members—who don’t pay for individual visits—coming in during a five-hour shift. “Financially, it’s really been hurting us in the long run on those days,” he said. He suggested that the board consider closing on Sundays.
“For those few folks who do use it on Sundays it will be an inconvenience,” Tersteeg said. He supported closing it, however, “for the greater good.”
The benefits of being open later at night outweigh the inconvenience of not being open on Sunday, Tersteeg said. He suggested opening on Sundays for special events such as classes or kayak rolling. Christiansen noted that lifeguard training could take place then as well.
Board member Robin DuChien said that when she worked at the pool, they once projected the movie Jaws onto a sheet on the wall while swimmers floated in the dark.
The board passed a motion to close the pool on Sundays after Labor Day but remain open until 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 9:00 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.
Year-to-date revenue at the Grand Marais Municipal Pool is up about $10,000, or 30 percent, over last year at this time, Head Lifeguard Charles Christiansen reported. In July of last year, 525 City of Grand Marais residents visited the pool. This July, that number was up to 827. Year-to-date attendance is up 13 percent over last year.
“Everything’s looking good so far this year,” Christiansen said.
“A membership to the pool is the cheapest thing you can do in Grand Marais,” said Christiansen. “It’s the best value in town.” A 12-month membership is $200 for an individual and $325 for a family.
Budget discussion
Every year, the park updates its list of capital improvement goals. Park Manager Tersteeg brought up the subject at this meeting, saying that with the pool’s aging infrastructure and a new county-initiated 1%-sales-tax-funded community center/ pool complex in the works, he wondered if pool demolition should be added to the list.
The community center/pool complex project is on hold for now, pending a decision regarding where to build it and discussions between the city and the county regarding whether the city will help fund ongoing operational costs. Because of the uncertainties regarding the new facility, the board decided not to put pool demolition on its capital improvement list.
The possibility of remodeling the city’s pool with the 1% sales tax funding was suggested. “It could be that the new pool is built right there,” said board member Paul Anderson. “You never know.”
Park Manager Tersteeg reminded the board that it’s time to work on the 2012 budget. He said in the last two years, net income has been 20 percent above what had been budgeted. “We’re always very conservative with budget predictions because of the weather and the price of gas,” Tersteeg said. He called it a “plan for the worst, hope for the best” strategy.
Tersteeg will prepare a preliminary budget for the board to review at its September meeting.
Music in Harbor Park
The board discussed some complaints that had been expressed regarding the church youth group that held evening services with contemporary Christian music in Harbor Park on three consecutive weekdays in July.
Board member Tracy Benson pointed out that choice in musical styles varies from person to person. Board member Rod Dockan wondered if some of the complaints were about the religious nature of the event. Robin DuChien said she thought the event “worked” as a downtown event, and it brought a lot of people to town.
Some didn’t like the volume of the music, Tersteeg said. The new performance in-the-park permits for street musicians will only allow battery-operated amplification, although this was permitted as a special event.
“This time of year you expect to hear music,” Board Chair Walt Mianowski said.
Land Trust complaint
Dave Tersteeg reported that Cook County Highway Department documents prove that the parking lot across from Sydney’s existed before the Minnesota Land Trust conservation easement on the land around the harbor was signed in 1996. The Land Trust had written a letter charging that the parking lot was in violation of the city’s agreement to not develop new areas around the harbor.
The curb cutouts were installed in 1989, Tersteeg said. The board asked Tersteeg to send a letter to the Minnesota Land Trust asking them to rescind their claim that a violation had occurred.
Park update
Campground revenue as of the end of July was up 3½ percent over last year, Tersteeg reported. “We’re doing really good,” he said. “It was a really good July.” They were especially busy because of the state shutdown when state park campgrounds were closed.
Park staff could use more maintenance workers, Tersteeg said. It’s difficult for them to get all the garbage picked up downtown on the weekends.
Board member Paul Anderson said he has received compliments from park guests about its clean bathrooms and helpful staff.
“I’m very lucky to have excellent staff,” Tersteeg concurred.
Golf course a good deal
As of July 31, year-to-date Gunflint Hills Golf Course revenue was down $1,786 from last July. After a large rainstorm less than two weeks prior, course manager Mike Kunshier said, “The rain is nice for the course but tough on the revenue.”
“The golf course is in great shape,” board chair Walt Mianowski said. “The greens and the fairways are beautiful.”
Kunshier said they get a lot of business from Thunder Bay. Gunflint Hills is cheaper and people don’t have to sign up days ahead for tee times, he said, adding, “and they love the hot dogs!”
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