HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 07 - The Ranch at Lonesome DoveMEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER
MEETING DATE: MAY 3, 2022
SUBJECT: APPROVAL FOR THE RENTAL OF THE RANCH AT LONESOME DOVE
FOR DAY CAMP FROM MAY 16, 2022 THROUGH AUGUST 19, 2022
RECOMMENDATION: City Council to consider the approval of the rental for The Ranch at
Lonesome Dove for day camp from May 16, 2022 through August 19,
2022 from Promiseland Metro, Inc. for the Parks and Recreation
Department.
FUNDING SOURCE: Funds are available in the Lake Parks Fund for an amount not to exceed
$100,000.
BACKGROUND: The Parks and Recreation Department's Lake Parks Division has provided
Dove Creek Day Camp at Meadowmere Park since the summer of 2018.
The camp is an outdoor recreation program providing high quality camp
experiences similar to well-known residential camps without the need to
travel or stay overnight. The program has been extremely popular and
successful to the point of having nearly 280 kids on the waitlist in 2021.
The major contributing factor as to why we couldn't accommodate greater
demand is due to safety protocols (included in the approved "Standards of
Care") in relation to sheltering campers in the event of severe weather.
There is very limited space within our camp office and restrooms at
Meadowmere to shelter in place so we had to limit enrollment to 40
campers. To better meet demand, while also opening up more options to
enhance the experience, we approached The Ranch at Lonesome Dove
which is a neighboring property and event space adjacent to
Meadowmere Park.
We plan to engage the Ranch for exclusive use of their space on
weekdays from May 23 — August 17, which includes 11 weekly sessions
plus set-up/tear down. The current Lonesome Dove facilities will allow us
to accommodate 100 campers per week (2.5 times more) within facilities
big enough to shelter in the event of severe weather or just to take a
break from the heat. It will also provide additional office and storage space
and additional recreation amenities. The rental fee for Lonesome Dove
will be covered by revenue generated through camper registration fees.
Due to the quantity of campers the additional space will allow, the revenue
will be generated without a significant increase in cost of camp
registration.
This procurement will be made in accordance with Local Government
Code Chapter 252, Subchapter B, § 252.022. General Exemptions (a) (2).
Staff recommends approval.
RS/LW