Four firms seek Crater Lake Park’s concession contract
Herald and News
Klamath Falls, Oregon
October 31, 2001
By LEE JUILLERAT
Four companies have submitted detailed offers for taking over concession operations at Crater Lake National Park.
The park’s long-time concessionaire, Crater Lake Lodge, Inc., quit providing services at the park on Wednesday. The company had operated the park’s concession services, including the Crater Lake Lodge, Rim Village cafeteria-gift shop, facilities at Mazama Village, campgrounds and boat tours since 1976.
Effective today, winter services at the park are limited to the Steel Visitor Information Center near park headquarters. The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Along with the park orientation film, limited snack and beverage services are being offered through the Crater Lake Natural History Association, which also sells postcards, books and other educational items.
Concession facilities at Rim Village, including the cafeteria and gift shop closed Wednesday, and have no opening date. In past years the cafeteria and gift shop have operated through the winter, weather permitting.
The Rim Village comfort station, which is being rehabilitated, is expected to reopen within a week and will remain open through the winter.
Crater Lake Lodge closed for the winter on Oct. 21. Reservations for the 2002 season for both the lodge and Mazama Village Motor Inn can be made by telephoning (541) 830-8700.
In August the concessionaire announced it would not submit an offer to continue operating the park’s commercial services.
The National Park Service earlier this year sought prospectuses from companies interested in seeking a new 15-year contract. Several stipulations were attached, including provisions to return a higher percentage of profits to the park service and relocate some Rim Village services to the Mazama Village area at the concessionaire’s expense.
Companies that submitted offers include Amfac Recreational Services, Inc., of Aurora, Colo.; Aramark Corporation of Philadelphia, Pa.; Delaware North Parks Services of Buffalo, N.Y.; and Regency Inns Management, Inc., of Sioux Falls, S.D.
John Miele, the park’s management assistant, said an evaluation panel is considering each proposal and will make a recommendation to the park service’s regional director before Thanksgiving.
A contract will be awarded this winter with operations by the new concessionaire in place next spring in time for the park’s centennial celebration.
Because of this winter’s limited services, visitors are urged to plan ahead. The cafeteria and gift shop are typically highly used by winter visitors and have been the only places where recreationalists, sightseers and cross country skiers can escape often blustery weather.
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Regional Editor Lee Juillerat covers Lake, Siskiyou, Modoc and northern Klamath counties.
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