Lino Lakes MN council entertains boat race, show idea

by Greg Lucid

LINO LAKES —Lino Lakes city officials believe hosting a power boat race and boat show could make an economic splash on the area.

The city is considering hosting such events at a future Blue Heron Days festival. Blue Heron Days is the city’s annual outdoor celebration, typically held in mid-August. Ultimately, the decision to host the boating events belongs to the Anoka County Parks Department.

DeGardner, Lino Lakes public services director, the initial cost to host the event would be “around $10,000 or higher” depending on the number of event sponsors working in partnership with the city.

Aaron Wacholtz, a board member of the Twin City Power Boat Association, addressed the City Council Dec. 1 during a council work session about the possibility of including the events in Blue Heron Days. Wacholtz owns Forest Lake-based X-treme Paint and Auto Body, Inc., and serves as race director for a power boat race and boat show in Forest Lake.

If the city held a two-day boating event, sanction fees and insurance would be required, Wacholtz said. Insurance for a one-day boating event would run $2,800; for two days, $3,400. “The cost is minimal,” Wacholtz aid. “Plus, when you have two days, you draw more boats out.”

Mayor Jeff Reinert asked about revenue streams that could be generated as a result of the hosting the boat race and show.

Wacholtz said this year marked Forest Lake’s fourth annual event at Lakeside Park. For the last four years the event has included 30 to 45 boats, including boating families, friends and crew, all of whom support local businesses in town. He noted the public hasn’t been charged admission at the Forest Lake boat races.

“It’s never been a good idea for us to charge admission,” he said, because it is “hard to charge” spectators who desire to view a boat race. He said local businesses help offset event costs — each Forest Lake business has submitted anywhere from $500 to $4,000 in Forest Lake in sponsorship aid.

Reinert then asked Wacholtz about the event feedback received from the Forest Lake community.

“To be honest, I’ve been doing this for four years and I haven’t heard one negative comment about it yet from anybody,” he said.

Wacholtz, who is from Forest Lake, said his organization can help set up the race in Lino Lakes, but he would need a commitment from city leaders and residents to ultimately run the operation. In Forest Lake, he has a committee of about 10 individuals who help with setup and coordination of the event.

In the end, after all the bills are paid, whatever money is left over goes to charity, he added.

Charities of his choice include Tribute to the Troops Minnesota chapter and Pink Ribbon Riders, a breast cancer awareness organization.

City officials are hopeful but patiently await a decision from the Anoka County Parks Department on whether or not a boat race is a possibility.

“I think it sounds darned exciting,” said Councilman Rob Rafferty.

While Public Services Director DeGardner also welcomes the idea, he noted the city must decide by January whether or not it can move forward with race efforts to be on target for summer 2015. “If you take a look at potential sponsorships of Lino Lakes businesses that may [support] a boat race, we don’t have a boat company in the city,” DeGardner said.

Council members commented there are other businesses to lure people into town.

“It’s a lake-focused event, and I like the idea of [having] antique boats as well,” Reinert said.

Steve Markuson, Twin Cities Gateway Bureau representative, was in attendance at the work session and said his agency could help with advertising, promotion and marketing.

An official update on the likelihood of Lino Lakes hosting a boat race and boat show was to be made public this week. Check back at presspubs.com for story updates.

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