CONNEAUT LAKE — In many ways, the Hotel Conneaut is a business that’s as much about history as hospitality.

And as far as Greg Sutterlin is concerned, it’s all the subtle, behind-the-scenes work — upgrades to things like its water system, roofing and other structural elements — that will ensure the history-rich hotel retains that character as it’s again proving itself a viable part of the region’s tourism attractions.

It’s been decades since the more than 100-year-old hotel and nearby Beach Club have seen improvement efforts as extensive as those underway since Park Restoration LLC — the business group of which Sutterlin is a member — began leasing the properties. The group began operating and renovating the hotel and club in 2008, and officially entered into a 30-year renewable lease for the hotel and a 20-year renewable lease for the club in early 2009, said Sutterlin.

Under the terms of the lease, Conneaut Lake Park — held in trust for the citizens of northwestern Pennsylvania since the late 1990s — also receives a share of the investment group’s revenues. Park Restoration LLC and Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park have declined to lay out the figures, but Sutterlin said the park receives “a substantial portion of the revenues. It’s actually very substantial.”

And “by the end of this year, we’ll have over $800,000 invested” in restoration and repair efforts at the hotel and club, Sutterlin said, adding those efforts are “going to continue until (the hotel and club) get back to the condition they deserve to be in.”

Along with numerous, much-needed structural and infrastructure repairs to the hotel has come continuing restoration work on its long-popular Crystal Ballroom and Elizabeth’s dining area, said Sutterlin. The ballroom was built more than 80 years ago as an addition to the original structure.

Park Restoration has also added air conditioning to almost 40 of the hotel’s roughly 120 rooms, with plans to add AC to about 20 more rooms this year.

But don’t worry, history buffs! For those looking to escape modern technology, that planned upgrade will still leave roughly half of the hotel’s rooms conditioned only by breezes coming off the nearby lake.

Plans for this year include a re-do of the Beach Club’s original facade, which Sutterlin said will make the outside of the club nearly match its 50s-era appearance, with arched light poles, special siding and decorative awnings over the popular French fry stand. “We’re basically trying to bring it back and keep with the (classic) theme of it,” he said, “rather than make it some generic” modern design.

Other plans include ongoing work to replace the park’s boardwalk in conjunction with park trustees; a complete upgrade of the Beach Club’s restrooms and new seating at the club; and a refurbishment of Hotel Conneaut’s patio area and upgrades to its first-floor bathrooms. Three large apartment-style suites that are being renovated will also be unveiled, said Sutterlin.

On the topic of bringing it back, Sutterlin said Polka Fest, once a twice-annual event at Conneaut Lake Park’s Dreamland Ballroom, is back this year and set for Aug. 20, 21 and 22 at the Beach Club. Nearly half of the hotel’s rooms are already booked for that weekend, Sutterlin said.

And it seems that’s not the only one. Sutterlin said there’s been a steady flow of reservations coming in for Hotel Conneaut rooms, some for as late as October. There are also already more than 30 weddings booked for this year at the hotel, with more than one on some days during the height of the season, he said.

Following last weekend’s “Saint Patty’s Day Bar Crawl” at the hotel comes “Spring Bash ’10” at the club on April 17. Billed as an all-day party, the bash includes a meet-and-greet lunch with Erie Storm players; live music and comedy; food and drinks; displays and an autograph and celebrity memorabilia auction; door prizes; and even a professional hula-hooper.

And, of course, there’s a full slate of events to compliment Conneaut Lake Park during its upcoming summer and fall seasons, including (but in no way limited to) the hotel’s ”Hawaiian Luau and Tiki Torch Party” on July 31 and the Pittsburgh Area Jitterbug Club’s annual “Conneaut Lake Beach Bash” on Aug. 7 and 8.

“We’re very positive about this year,” Sutterlin said. “We’re getting a tremendous response” to the ongoing efforts to revitalize the hotel and club.

 

RPark to open on Memorial Day weekend

In keeping with tradition, Conneaut Lake Park officially kicks off its 2010 season on Memorial Day weekend starting May 29.

The amusement park reopened last year with many rides in operation and a host of activities for thousands of visitors, and plans are to continue building on the success of last season, according to officials.

For more information about Conneaut Lake Park, including hours of operation, event schedules, volunteering/donation opportunities and more, visit conneautlakepark.com on the Web.