Ocqueoc Outdoor Center budget amended, marketing plans continue to be focus

A motion to amend the 2005 budget for the Ocqueoc Outdoor Center (OOC) was approved on a 4-1 vote of the Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners. Last year, the county appropriated $47,000 to the facility, which along with donations and rental fees, was used to bring the camp back to life. The buildings were refurbished and are now ready for an entire season of camping and activities.

The Presque Isle County Tourism Council, which has been overseeing the restoration of the center, has geared the coming year to marketing the facility. Part of the marketing plan included sending out packets of information about the OOC to more than 500 schools in Michigan. The 2005 budget for the OOC will be $36,000 with $30,000 of that coming from the county’s local unit appropriation fund.

CHAIRMAN ALLAN BRUDER said the recommendation of the finance committee was to raise the budget to $36,000, with the county’s allocation being $30,000. The rest of the funding will have to come from donations and rentals.

“Last year they did take in about $15,000 from people giving mon

ey to them and about $2,600 from the rentals,” Bruder said. Bruder, who has volunteered his own services at the center, believes the former Civilian Conservation Corps camp could promote tourism in the county.

“To me if people come up here and like this area, they might come back up on another weekend,” said Bruder. Tourism Council operations manager Mark Schuler encouraged board members to visit and take a look at the work that has been accomplished.

“NOW WE are up and running this year,” said Schuler. “This year we are going to concentrate on filling the beds.”

Last year, the property was deeded over to the county from the Department of Natural Resources. Commissioner Mike Darga voted against the motion because he did not agree with increasing the budget when he had earlier asked for an increase for county officials, but had the motion die for a lack of support.

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