Public vs private

[DmaxJC_ski]

So here's the deal, been looking at setting up a private site for a few buddies on a pothole lake close to home, no luck on finding anything big enough. So I approached a local gravel company and turns out they are scheduled to reclaim a significant amount of their pits very close to where I live and are very much open to the idea of waterskiing, and are willing to do the work!!!!

 

The catch.....

 

We have a horrible amount of theft and vandalism here. Like I mean a gross amount.

 

The owner would like to set this up as somewhat public use be it swimming, paddle board, possible cable tow, rv lots etc.

 

This site would be within walking distance from town.

 

There is significant room/ multiple pits for all this so I'm not concerned with room, but being "public" one would need a full time driver/boat etc.. I'm sure you get my drift.

 

So what is the best way to approach this scenario without scaring the owner off and keep things simple and still fun. I think one could run a private spot and still accommodate the public according to everyone's work sched, still getting some newbies interested be it weekend schools or something.

 

What do you all think?

[DmaxJC_ski]

Is this thing on?....

[andjules]

Sounds like a great opportunity.

It also sounds like you've jumped to a conclusion that "public" means a full-time, unsecure, pay-per-use sports park.

 

Personally, I'd acknowledge their desire for the site to be 'public' and then work with/towards the most limited interpretation of 'public' possible, to start. "Public" may just mean they don't want to give you and your closest ski buddies an exclusive, restrictive lease. So, I'd start with something like:

 

Of course, I'm not looking for a private lease. Yes, let's make it open to the public.

 

But let's start modestly, with a pilot project to gauge interest, and figure out what access costs should be so that we're all adequately insured. Let's do a feasibility test with a water ski "club" - anyone can apply for membership, of course. And to save making a big capital outlay, let's start with members who can bring their own boat. For now, just to make sure we don't face shoreline soil erosion, let's limit it to USWA certified waterski boats. We'll get "club-based" insurance, but again, anyone can apply to be a club member, so it's still accessible to the public. We'll run a couple of "guest" evening events where non-boat-owners can come out and try waterskiing for a usage fee, and use that as a way to gauge how economically feasible it would be to (one day far, far into the future) maybe have a staffed, pay-per-use facility.

 

I'll also try to find a passionate SUP organizer who could apply to start a similar bring-you-own equipment, insured SUP club on another pit/pond. We could start working on a proposal to put a straight-line wakeboard cable park on another pit/pond, subject to determining economic feasibility. Of course, we would need some locked equipment storage (20' shipping container?) and a locked gate to protect the facility/equipment from vandalism.

 

Not hard to imagine getting you and a few ski buddies your semi-private paradise while maybe sharing the place with a couple of similarly-restrictive specialty clubs (if those other sports can get organized enough and meet yours-and-the-owners conditions).

 

"Open to the public" doesn't have to mean "open to anyone at any time with no conditions whatsoever".

 

 

[Chef23]

You could also propose to have a few open ski nights either a week or a month when you either donate water time or charge a nominal fee to learn to ski without being a member. This would enable controlled public access which might make security less of an issue.

[LeonL]

@andjules you're pretty slick with the wording you suggested. I think those are some excellent suggestions. You kinda sound like a politician. No offense meant!

[andjules]

@LeonL hahaha no offense taken. The reality is pretty close... I'm in marketing.

[Lars]

wow what an opportunity! wish you the best, I am insanely jealous :)