Friday, June 18th, 2010

East Bank Marina needs lessee to operate

By Janie Southard
Photo by Janie Southard/The Daily Standard

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is looking for a new tenant for its East Bank Marina, which closed in April. Revenue from the marina includes boat rentals, dock rentals, gasoline and boating equipment.

ST. MARYS - Anyone in the market to run a marina may visit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources park office and check out the possibilities at the now-closed East Bank Marina.
Built by the state for the state in the late 1960s, the marina is still leased through the state. It's available again, according to Brian Miller, assistant manager at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park.
"Dan (Manning, former marina lessee) wanted out of his lease last April due to several things, but mostly the downturn in boating and tourists over the past couple years. That was because of water quality issues and the economy," Miller told the newspaper this week.
There's been some interest in running the marina since, but no one has followed up with the state-required paperwork.
"We'd definitely like to rent it out again," he said.
Those requirements include financial statements, business plans and experience, among others. Payments to the state are a percentage of the annual gross income, which Miller said could be negotiated to some extent.
"In 2009 the state received payment of $11,500, in 2008 it was $29,000 and in 2007 the payment was $39,000. ... But you have to figure that in 2007 the state was getting a percentage of all marina transactions. The other two years the percentage was based on boat rentals, dock fees and gasoline. Quite a difference, but the economy didn't help," he said.
Back in the day, the early day, the marina was hopping with boating supplies, concession area and a full kitchen was available. However the foot traffic slowed as the visitors lessened, Miller observed.
In recent years there were seven marinas around the lake, now there are five with Ohio Marina and the state marina closed.
"A big loss to boaters is the loss of the marina's restroom facilities. The closest now is at the first shelter house (at East Bank Park). We are maintaining the boat pump station because it's the only one on the lake," Miller said.
Other conveniences missing from the state park are liter barrels as the state transitions to a "carry in/carry out" system. One reason is public abuse.
"In past years, we've emptied the trash receptacles and within a couple days they were full of household litter, which is illegal, by the way. So far, we haven't observed a big increase in ground litter. I'd say over the next two years it will be required that if you carry it in you must carry it out," he said. Litter containers are still available at the shelter houses and campgrounds.
The campgrounds is doing well this season, with the best attendance ever on Memorial Day weekend, he said. All the park facilities - beaches, picnic areas and shelter houses - attracted a crowd that weekend.
"Since then, Mother Nature has been the enemy," he commented. "But the summer's just begun."
Additional online story on this date
Too much rain has put a damper on the growing season for some Mercer County farmers, especially those in the northern part of the county, local ag officials said. [More]
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Celina council
CELINA - The City of Celina's general fund deficit is projected at $133,549 to start to 2011, according to preliminary estimates provided by city auditor Emily Stewart.
Man, 68, struck along state route
A 68-year old Fort Recovery man riding his bicycle was seriously injured this morning after being hit by a vehicle along state Route 49 near Fox Road.
The Mercer County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call from a witness at 6:29 a.m. reporting the accident and saying the driver left the scene.
CELINA - A planned bike path extension in the city has been delayed another year.
Council members on Thursday night passed the second reading of an ordinance to readjust this year's appropriations, including reducing the bike path fund by $454,000.
Mercer County has received $10,000 from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to initiate a recycling program in May 2011 to collect old tires.
NORTH STAR - The Darke County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate an armed robbery early today at Pak-A-Sak, 14428 U.S. 127.
A man reportedly
CELINA - The Grand Lake Mariners looked good in their final exhibition game of the summer, a 14-1 blasting of Portland on Thursday evening at Jim Hoess Field.
As the weather starts to warm up, it is hard to believe that the chase for the Eldora Stock Car and UMP Modified track championships is beginning to hit the home stretch at Eldora Speedway.
Local Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
St. Henry scored four times in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 4-1 lead over Coldwater, but the Cavaliers rebounded with five runs in the top of the sixth en route to a 7-4 win in ACME action at the Wally Post Athletic Complex on Thursday night.