Stearns will consider reopening park if sufficient funds are raised

By Jane Smith

6/9/07 June 09, 2007 12:12 am

— CONNEAUT LAKE PARK — Even though court-appointed overseer LeRoy Stearns closed Conneaut Lake Park last month, he is willing to open it again — if enough money is raised.
Stearns, who remains in control of the park through July 6 following a ruling Friday, said if fundraisers are successful to acquire the money needed to open, “I will consider opening Conneaut Lake Park.”
His concern is that no more debt be incurred for a new park board to assume when it takes over the park’s operation next month.
Park director of operations George Deshner has said he needs $60,000 to open portions of the park, including the Beach Club, Hotel Conneaut, Camperland and possibly other areas.
An additional $22,000 was added to the total needed to open after electricity service was shut off last week.
Gregory Sutterlin, a Conneaut Lake resident, started a campaign to raise the money last week and so far $47,000 has been raised.
All that money will be returned if the park doesn’t open.
In the meantime, Abate of Crawford County has joined the fundraising efforts and is working with Sutterlin and others to host a concert today at Fairway 12 Motel on Route 618, just north of the park.
Five bands have donated their services for concerts starting at 1 p.m. and concluding at 11 p.m.
Parking is available at the park’s lots along Route 618 with free shuttle service to the motel provided by Laidlaw Transit Inc., said Deshner.
From telephone calls and personal contacts he has received, Deshner is estimating the concert will draw between 1,500 and 2,000 people.
Should there not be enough money raised to open, proceeds from today’s events will be given to Abate of Crawford County for distribution to charities it chooses, said Deshner. It will not be given to the park to pay bills.
Admission price for the concert is $10. A pig roast will be featured as well, but at an additional cost. Raffle tickets also will be sold by Abate.

YOU CAN GO
A concert will be held today at Fairway 12 Motel on Route 618 to raise funds to help open Conneaut Lake Park. Five bands have donated their services for concerts starting at 1 p.m. and concluding at 11 p.m. Parking is available at the park’s lots along Route 618. Admission is $10.