Effort underway to save the MUCC camp buildings

Officials from the Department of Natural Resources in Lansing have confirmed a plan to demolish 13 buildings at the Ocqueoc Outdoor Center beginning in December, and locally opposition has been building as the news spreads through the community. MDNR press secretary Brad Wurfel said the buildings are coming down for several reasons, but at the top of the list are ?human health and safety.? Wurfel said the structures have become an increasing liability and have become the target of vandals recently.

UPKEEP, WITH state budget restraints, have made maintaining the structures cost prohibitive, especially with the $57,000 it?ll cost to remove asbestos from the buildings. The camp, while not used this past summer, has been used by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Presque Isle County 4-H, and by the Civilian Conservation Corps as early as the 1930s. Wurfel said the buildings are in an ?advanced state of disrepair.?

Not everyone agrees with that assessment. MSU extension director Dave Glenn has talked with District Health Department No. 4 inspector Frank Krist, who told him the buildings are not in that bad of shape. ?In fact, MUCC spent a lot of money over the last four years actually repairing all those buildings and the health department has inspected the kitchen and inspected the buildings,? said Glenn. ?We know they aren?t that bad.?

The camp was used by 4-H for decades, Glenn said. It is located off Ocqueoc Lake Road, between Townhall Road and north

Ocqueoc Road in Ocqueoc Township.

LONGTIME SERVING MDNR commissioner Harry Whiteley said he is trying to get the DNR plan delayed, so other options can be explored. ?I?m making every effort to have the DNR hold a hearing,? said Whiteley, who served a record 25 years on the DNR commission. He wants county residents to have input. ?They are wonderful buildings,? said Glenn. ?There are dorm rooms, there?s a beautiful lodge, cafeteria eating area with a nice kitchen. It?s a wonderful place.? Glenn encouraged concerned county residents to contact the DNR at 517-373-2329 or Sen. Jason Allen?s office at 517-373-2413.

Glenn hopes calls will ?stop the plan and start communication with the county, if there are potential users of that camp.?

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