Four
Seasons Resort has been in existence since 1973. There has
been millions of dollars spent here to purchase property and
build the facilities and amenities, including a lodge with
snack bar, dining room, large fireplace and heated indoor
swimming pool (seasonal). Other amenities include a 12 room
motel, Olympic size outdoor swimming pool, two basketball
courts, rollerblade court, softball field, fishing ponds,
pavilion, four comfort stations, eight apartments, two cabins
on over 800 acres.
All
of this was built with private money, not one penny of State
or Federal money was used. We added 9 miles of ATV trails
in 1998 and 1999. In 2001, the DCNR made grant money available
and Four Seasons Resort applied for money to purchase equipment
so we could maintain our existing trails to keep them from
rutting and erosion control widen them out and build new trails.
We were awarded a grant totaling $77,000.00 (80 % of the cost
of the equipment), and were able to take care of the erosion
problem.
In
2002, we applied for a grant to be used for signage and equipment;
we were awarded a grant for $14,000.00 (80% of the cost of
the signage and equipment).
These grants have helped us build and maintain good riding
trails. Once again, Four Seasons Resort purchased more than
800 acres, built the facilities, paid for all labor costs
and pay for the insurance with private money, not grant money.
We are insured as a camping resort with ATV, horse, and hiking
trails, and only because we are a recreational camping facility
and not just a tract of land with ATV trails were we able
to be insured. For this reason everyone who rides our trails
must be a guest of Four Seasons Resort, whether if be camping,
staying in our motel, or renting a cabin.
You
must provide Four Seasons Resort with a copy of your insurance
and sign a waiver and pay $25.00 per year for a permit. Our
camping rates are $20.00 for a tent site this includes 2 adults
and any children under the age of 6, and $26.00 for a full
hook-up site this includes 2 adults and any children under
the age of 6. Our motel rates are $45.00 for the first night
and $40.00 for each additional night; again, this includes
2 adults and any children under the age of 6, and $10.00 per
night for each additional person. These prices are the same
for 1 person or 2 adults and any children under 6 years old
(if the camper chooses to stay all night that is his or her
choice).
For
example, a family of four (husband, wife and 2 children),
all having ATV’s can ride at Four Seasons Resort and
use the facilities and amenities that are operating at the
time of the season in which they are visiting and participate
in any planned activities that may be going on during their
stay. All for $20.00-$26.00 per day. The trails are open all
year, weather permitting.
If
you attend any ATV events, such as a poker run there is an
$8.00 charge. Of this, $2.00 goes to the local Volunteer Fire
Department, $1.00 goes to the ATV Fund (to purchase miscellaneous
items for the events), and the rest goes back to the winners
of the event. That $8.00 is only for the events.
Four
Seasons Resort was built with private money as a “for-profit”
business with the purpose of families spending quality time
together in a clean environment with a variety of activities
the entire family can enjoy and to create friendships and
memories for a lifetime. Four Seasons Resort is not now, nor
does it plan to open its facilities to the public for free
in the future.
I
hope we have answered your questions regarding all of the
controversy about the DCNR ATV Grant money.
