LAWTON – The City Council is seeking new proposals for operation and management of the convenience store and fuel pumps at Lake Lawtonka’s School House Slough. The council also signaled that it intends to raise rental rates for amenities at the lake’s recreation areas next year.
Former concessionaire Kent Waller’s lease for School House Slough expired 11 months ago, leaving the city searching for someone to manage the concession area.
At the council’s direction, city staff prepared and issued a request for proposals for management and operation of the convenience/general store, fuel pumps, dry stalls, wet slips, camper spaces, trailer spaces and boathouses at School House Slough.
Nineteen (19) proposal packets were sent out with a submission deadline of Aug. 15. Only one proposal was submitted: $1.7 million from Scott James of Lawton.
The City Council rejected that bid at its Nov. 14 meeting in preference for an RFP “specific to operation and management of the convenience store,” including the fuel pumps. “The new RFP will allow for a more focused and competitive process, encouraging interested parties to submit proposals that specifically address this aspect of the property,” Parks and Recreation Director Larry Parks wrote.
Five years of experience specializing in management and operation of a convenience/general store “is preferred but not required,” Parks said.
Applicants are required to submit a business resumé outlining their qualifications, and a minimum five-year business plan which should include “any work necessary to bring the facilities up to current” federal, state and local codes.
Proposals must be received by Jan. 15, 2024.
Based in part on recommendations from a consultant, Halff and Associates, the council instructed city staff to prepare a resolution to increase rental rates next year by up to 25% for full-time campers, trailers, boathouses, dry stalls, and wet stalls at Lake Lawtonka’s recreation areas.
The five boathouses previously managed by the School House Slough concessionaire are to be excluded.
A study was conducted to determine the residence status of School House Slough leaseholders, since they comprise the majority of full-time occupants located at Lake Lawtonka. That study revealed that 40% of School House Slough leaseholders (127 of 313) live in Lawton, while 60% are not Lawton residents.
“Considering these findings, it is unlikely that the Lawton residents would be willing to support funding improvements at the lakes when there are other priorities across the city,” the council was advised.
Consequently, the City Council directed city staff to return with a $3 million improvement plan.
The city’s Lakes and Lands Commission has urged the City Council to create an authority to administer the management and operation of the recreational use of Lakes Ellsworth and Lawtonka. The commission contends that the proposed authority would be “better suited to address the concerns of the citizens who utilize these areas.”