Staff and wire reports



Part of Roman Nose State Park lodge will be torn down to make way for new development, members of the Tourism and Recreation Commission have decided.

Commission members, who oversee the Department of Tourism and Recreation, unanimously approved a motion Wednesday to demolish the 27-room south wing of the lodge, which has been closed since rains from Tropical Storm Erin hit Blaine County in August 2007.

Crews sent to repair water damage after the storm found mold and evidence the lodge, built into the hillside, was eroding away from its footing.

“Is there any scenario that does not include demolition?” asked T.L. Walker, a commission member from Ponca City.

“No, the building has been deemed unacceptable,” said Hardy Watkins, commission executive director.

Commissioners said they expect to have a long-term plan for the future of Roman Nose, located near Watonga, by their Oct. 22 meeting. Early discussion includes updates to the lodge, building cabins and updating the bathhouse near the park’s swimming pool that once was spring-fed, Watkins said.

As for the cost, bringing the park up to competitive standards could take about $3.5 million. Tourism officials plan to ask the Legislature for the money.

“The park’s canyon golf course and trails are really an asset,” Watkins said. “I think we should also capitalize on the American Indian story that could be told there.”

Watkins said the south wing of the lodge will be demolished by the end of the year. The other part of the lodge, which includes the restaurant, meeting rooms and 20 lodge rooms, will remain intact.

The commission had met at Roman Nose in July to discuss the situation. They heard from a number of Watonga residents, park employees and government officials.

In other business, a woman who held a lease with the state to operate the Texoma Funland Park, told the commission she has not been paid by Pointe Vista despite a pending agreement.

Pointe Vista bought the land that once was Lake Texoma State Park and plans a large-scale private development in the area. The development group negotiated agreements with concessionaires who lost business after the lodge shut down.

Janie Davidson told commissioners she is the last state leaseholder who has not been paid for her lease. Much of the agreement is pending the outcome of a proposed land sale between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Pointe Vista.

“I just feel like I’ve fallen through the cracks,” said Davidson. “You guys are holding all the cards, and it’s just sickening to go down there and not see anything going on.”

Watkins said tourism staff members have been working with both parties to help the land sale go smoothly.

The commission also voted to spend more time evaluating the state’s concession lease program rather than automatically extending a lease.

State Sen. Bill Brown, whose family operates the Lake Eufaula State Park Marina, wants his lease, which expires in 2018, extended until 2028.

Brown, R-Broken Arrow, wants to provide some financial security for an additional $500,000 he is investing in 50 new boat slips. He also said he wants to have a long-term lease because of rumors the state might sell the park.

“I’ll be upset if I don’t get it,” Brown said of the delay.

He said he had been assured by tourism personnel in the past the lease would be extended.

While acknowledging the marina has been operating effectively under the Brown family, commissioners ex-pressed general concern leases aren’t going out for bid because current lease holders often make improvements near the end of the lease term to justify extending their leases.

Watkins said there isn’t a consistent template for the wide variety of leases in the state’s concession program.