05/22/08 — CONNEAUT LAKE — Swimming will not be allowed in Conneaut Lake from the beach at Conneaut Lake Park this summer unless a company willing to write an insurance policy to cover that liability can be found.

Announcement of the ban was made by Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park in a detailed news release issued Wednesday.

People were permitted to swim at the park last year, even though the park wasn’t open, because the park’s former insurance policy covered that activity. That policy, for an “operating park” for all rides and amusements, cost $170,000. However, the park now has less expensive liability insurance for a “non-operating” park.

“It just boggles my mind that the (new) liability insurance doesn’t cover swimming,” said George Deshner, the park’s general manager. He said the beach will be posted with “no swimming” signs, but there is no means to pay security to police the area on a full-time basis.

Other areas discussed in the Trustees’ news release:

–– Hotel Conneaut — A date to open the more-than-100-year-old hotel can’t be determined until more inspections are completed. The facility was closed last year after the Sadsbury Township zoning office ruled the fire escape system wasn’t up to code.

–– The Beach Club — Although the popular restaurant-bar won’t be open for Memorial Day, Trustees are working toward getting it open in the near future.

–– Camperland — The 118-site camping area, across Route 618 from the park, is open, inspected and accepting reservations for the season.

–– Rental docks — Most of the 44 docks are rented. The Trustees have budgeted funds and have a contractor working on repairs for renting a few slips still available.

–– Kiddieland — Trustees said a suggestion to open Kiddieland or a couple of adult rides can’t be justified. “Although insurance liability for a few rides might be lower than the estimated $170,000 (for an operating park) the revenues generated would not cover the cost,” the news release said.

–– Upcoming events — A car cruise-in is scheduled to be on the park’s free act lawn in front of the Beach Club this weekend. Trustees advised people to “watch for upcoming events and activities.” Plans are in the works for fund drives, an art auction and a family picnic. And a wooden boat show will be held the end of June, the release noted.

–– Business plan — “We have completed a complex and complete business plan,” the release said. “We are reviewing each idea pitched to the board by interested parties, trustees carefully weighing not only its individual merit, but also on how it fits into the big picture.” Several groups have written proposals offering assistance in various forms to the board. These proposals and offerings are reviewed as they come in, “then molded to blend and comply with the needs of the park,” the release said.

–– Volunteers — Interested people “have been clamoring to get into the park and improve its appearance. The board appreciates the patience executed by these groups in waiting for the June 7 and 8 cleanup weekend,” the release said. “There is much to be done. A list of chores will be compiled, distributed and posted. Likewise, the destruction of the ballroom also took out the maintenance shop, leaving the park without an array of tools and machines typically used for maintenance. Not only hand tools and small power tools, but also items like table saws, sanders, wood lathe, metal lathe, welders, rakes, shovels and wheelbarrows have to be replaced.

In other completed work mentioned in the release:

–– New security lights have been and continue to be installed in key areas of the park. Additional security measures are being installed and implemented.

–– Negotiations with builders and developers continue as spin-offs from the request-for-proposals process.

–– Improvements for the water system in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency equipment demonstration grant, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and private sources are coming closer to fruition.

–– Disposition of the old bowling alley (Ultimate Trip building) is being negotiated.

–– Water customers are being properly billed.

–– The expired, soon-to-expire and transferring of leased residential properties are being negotiated and monitored by the board.

–– Tax returns have been filed for 2005, 2006 and 2007.

–– In the last month, audits have been done of both sales taxes and workers’ compensation taxes.



DEBRIS REMOVAL GIVES PARK A BRIGHT SIDE

With a terrible eyesore now removed, the Trustees of Conneaut Lake Park praised the work of two area businessmen who cleared the debris left by a destructive fire at the park’s Dreamland Ballroom in February.

“Things are looking a little brighter inside the park now that the Dreamland Ballroom debris has been removed,” trustees said in a Wednesday news release.

The fire, ruled arson, destroyed the historic dance hall, which wasn’t insured. A suspect has been charged with setting the blaze and is in Crawford County jail awaiting trial.

The two businessmen, Larry Kebert of Kebert Construction and Norm Eaton of Meadville Metal, offered their services to remove the debris. The pair recently used their company equipment and employees, and many hours of their own time, to complete the work.

Scrap from the debris was removed and sold, and once the two men recovered the costs associated with the cleanup, they returned a balance of $6,500 to the park Trustees.

“The Trustees are very appreciative of (their) efforts. ... The expediency, professionalism and public spirit of these two businessmen have made a huge difference not only in the appearance of the site, but also in the emotional impact when you visit the park,” read the news release.