The Starke County Park Board has given the Bass Lake Beach and Campground manager until next Wednesday to hand over several thousand dollars of revenues. During a special joint session with the county commissioners Tuesday, the park board also ordered Larry Clarich to stop collecting money going forward.
Continue readingCounty’s Share of Bass Lake Beach and Campground Revenues $42,000 Short of Actual Collections
Merging the Bass Lake Beach and Campground’s finances into Starke County’s is proving to be tricky. During a special park board meeting Wednesday, Board Member Kathy Norem said that one batch of receipts shows the facility has brought in more than $58,000 this season, but only about $16,000 ever made it to Starke County.
Continue readingStarke Park Board Terminates Bass Lake Beach and Campground Lease following Death of Lessee
The Starke County Park Board plans to take direct control of the Bass Lake Beach and Campground from Callahan Development, LLC.
Continue readingStarke County Park Board to Discuss Bass Lake Beach Operations during Special Meeting
The operation of the Bass Lake Beach will be the topic of a special Starke County Park Board meeting tonight. Board members have been looking to discuss a path forward with Callahan Development, LLC, following the apparent death of its primary owner. The company has a lease on the county-owned park property until 2028.
Continue readingStarke County Park Board Members, Lessee to Discuss Operation Plans
The Starke County Park Board is considering the future of the Bass Lake Beach and Campground’s operations. “I don’t know if everyone knows, but we were informed earlier this month, maybe last month, I don’t know, that Mr. Callahan is deceased now, is my understanding,” Board President Richard Ballard told the rest of the board Tuesday.
Continue readingBass Lake Beach Erosion Prevention Project Underway
Starke County Park Board Approves Rent Increase on Bass Lake Beach and Campground
Starke County Park Board Gets Two More Proposals for Bass Lake Beach Operations
The Starke County Park Board continues to hear from people interested in operating the Bass Lake Beach. The entire beach and campground is currently run by Callahan Development, LLC, which leases it from Starke County. But the company said it may be willing to give up control of the beach itself, to allow it to focus on the profitable campground and pier slots.
Starke County Park Board Still Waiting for Concrete Repairs at Bass Lake Beach
A lack of action on concrete repairs at the Bass Lake Beach is drawing concerns from some Starke County Park Board members. Back in August, board members asked the operator of the facility, Callahan Development, LLC, to repair the seawall surrounding the beach house patio and install glacial stone to help protect it from incoming waves.
Bass Lake Beach and Campground Operator Plans Repairs, Amid Questions from Park Board
The operators of the Bass Lake Beach and Campground say they’re making some updates to the facility, after several repairs were suggested during a recent inspection. Lessee Richard Callahan, his attorney Dave Wallsmith, and assistant manager Larry Clarich met with the Starke County Park Board Tuesday to address those concerns. Continue reading
Bass Lake Beach and Campground Lessee Credited 2017’s Rent Payment, Following Well Upgrades
The Bass Lake Beach and Campground’s operator won’t have to pay rent to Starke County in 2017, and it’s 2018 payment will be nearly cut in half. The Starke County Park Board decided Tuesday that upgrades to the facility’s well system made by Callahan Development, LLC were capital improvements, meaning the cost could be subtracted from the company’s rent payment. Continue reading
Bass Lake Beach Operator Plans Lease Renewal Amid Ongoing Discussions with County Park Board
The Starke County Park Board received an update Tuesday on various issues surrounding the Bass Lake Beach and Campground. The facilities are owned by Starke County and leased to operator Richard Callahan. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board to Continue Discussions on Five-Year Plan, Bass Lake Beach
A five-year plan for Starke County’s parks will be discussed during tonight’s County Park Board meeting. Edwin Buswell with the Kankakee-Iroquios Regional Planning Commission is expected to provide some information on the process. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board Discusses Bass Lake Beach Improvements Amid Calls for Lessee’s Removal
The Starke County Park Board continues to monitor improvements at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground. Assistant Manager Larry Clarich told the park board Tuesday that improvements to the facility’s well have been completed. Continue reading
Starke County Park Board to Discuss Bass Lake Beach Upgrades, Five-Year Plan
Ongoing improvements at the Bass Lake Beach and Campground will be discussed during this evening’s Starke County Park Board meeting. Lessee Richard Callahan and his attorney Dave Wallsmith are expected to give board members an update on the site’s progress. Continue reading
Safety Upgrades Underway at Bass Lake Beach and Campground
The Bass Lake Beach and Campground is getting some upgrades, after an inspection from the Indiana Department of Environmental Management turned up a few violations. The property is owned by Starke County and leased to operator Richard Callahan. Continue reading
Park Board Officials Question Beach and Campground Improvements
The Starke County Park Board’s frustrations with Bass Lake Beach and Campground manager Richard Callahan are growing. They’ve asked county attorney Marty Lucas to attend their meeting this evening to answer questions about the difference between capital improvements and maintenance. Callahan’s lease with the county allows him to deduct capital improvements from his rent payments. However Park Board President Roger Chaffins recently told the county commissioners none of the work has been permitted or inspected and questioned whether it is safe for the public. Continue reading
Commissioners Approve Purchase to Address Beaver Problem
The Starke County Park Board has come up with a possible solution to the beaver problem in the Starke County Forest. Continue reading
Starke County to Review Bass Lake Beach Lease
Park Board Notes Improvements at Bass Lake Beach
The progress of maintenance and capital improvements at the Bass Lake Beach were reviewed with lessee Richard Callahan when the Starke County Park Board convened last evening. Callahan was accompanied by his legal counsel, David Wallsmith. Callahan reported that 10 tons of sand and 10 tons of asphalt grindings has been spread to improve the grounds and that 45 picnic tables had been repaired. Continue reading