By a 4-2 vote the Grand Marais Park Board agreed to marginally bump up some of the rates to stay in the municipal campground for 2013 and 2014. The board cast its vote at its December 6 meeting. Voting for the increase were Walt Mianowski, Tracy Benson, Sally Berg, and Bill Lenz. Voting against the measure were Robin Duchien and Paul Anderson.
While there will be no change in tent site rates or the daily fee to dock at the marina or cost to use the swimming pool, the daily RV rental sites will increase by about 50 cents per day, and there will be a 1 percent increase to campers staying three months or longer (plus $7 per month more for water, electric and sewer). Storage will also increase by 1.5 percent (about $65 permonth)andtherewillbea1percent increase in the seasonal marina rate to $54 per foot.
In an information sheet he gave to the board, Park Board Manager Dave Tersteeg also included a new proposal, an increase to rates for the 15 “Lakeside RV” sites. Tersteeg explained that the 15 RV sites numbering 81-91 and 97-100 are “arguably the best sites we have to offer.” He said a lakeside up-charge would reflect their value.
“Case in point—for years we have offered “Lakeside/Tent” sites down by the water in the 163W-176W row and they have always cost more than a “regular” tent site. The up-charge is $4 night, yet they still have the highest occupancy rate for the tent sites (despite not having significant “water views”).
“These [15] sites along the harbor are the biggest, have the best water views, full hook-ups and most have new, 50 amp power. By designating these sites as “Lakeside” and applying the same $4 per night up-charge, we may be more accurately representing their value.
“For overnight guests who choose to pay this rate it represents about an 11 percent increase over last year’s nightly rate when the sites were the same price as all of the rest.
“The $30 monthly up-charge equals an increase of 4.4 percent or 5.6 percent depending on if your site is 50 amp vs. 30 amp. Seven of the sites affected are ‘grandfathered in’ monthly guests. This new rate would only apply to the 15 RV sites along the harbor: Nos. 81-91 (all 50 amp) and 97-100 (30 amp) and has the potential to generate approximately $5,500.”
Several board members asked how the new rates would compare with what other parks charge in the area, and Tersteeg said the proposed rates were in line with what people are now paying to stay near the lake.
Park Board Member Robin DuChien said that she and her husband rent a site for a weekend or two at the park, but added, “We couldn’t afford to stay in the park based on my husband’s retirement pay from the city (of Grand Marais).”
DuChien said she thought people were now paying enough to stay at the park and voted against any increases. Tersteeg said the board had to remember that they were representing the citizens of Grand Marais, and to keep newstheir bestape interests(not t ein mind when they voted.clas
Tersteeg yalso said she didn’tp r) i d ti think the modest rate increases would keep campers away andmaynotedrequethat lasta specifsummer was the best one icon recordction Howevfor the parkr, and marina, whichth sawdecia 12ionpercentis ult increase ($100,000) overmatelylast year.up
When askedn wwhatpaperhe andAd them staffy were doing to makeneedthe oparkbe decreaseda better place to stay, Tersteegslightsaid yeveryin s yzeart gravelfit was purchased andyo rmorecolumnands zesmore campsites were leveled; trees were pruned and planted; brushea e dcut andt bi lclearedfor and when moneyt wass davailable,If y hmore electric and sewer hook-ups among other things.quThe i ,boardpl ladded, encouraged him to continue levelingMNA atsites 00/and purchasing and budgeting979for theT gravelank y andu labor as needed, as well as upgrading sites.
In other park board news:
. Tersteeg said the new toddler swings have arrived and will be installed in the spring. He also said the North House Folk School’s “Winterers’ Gathering” held from November 14 to November 18 in the park went well.
. Tersteeg also said that blast rock had arrived for the Community Connections trail. Work on the trail has finished for the winter and will start again in the spring, said Tersteeg.
. The pool is also looking for someone to be a lifeguard and instructor for school swim lessons, as well as teach the fitness classes to fill in for Kayla Gotchie who has taken a new job in Tofte.
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