News Release 363

NEW CONCESSION CONTRACT
AWARDED AT MONTAUK STATE PARK

Volume 36-363

Contact: Sue Holst

(For immediate release)

573-751-6510

JEFFERSON CITY, MO., JUNE 18, 2008 -- A new concession contract has been awarded for the management of the store and lodging and dining facilities at Montauk State Park near Salem, the Missouri Department of Natural Resources announced today. The new concessionaire will be Forever Resorts, LLC, and the new contract will begin Oct. 1, 2009.

The company has operated in Missouri since 1992 when they began management of the Lake of the Ozarks Marina in Camdenton. Since 2005, the company has partnered with the state to operate the marina at the Grand Glaize Beach area and Public Beach No. 1 at Lake of the Ozarks State Park in Osage Beach. Forever Resorts, based in Scottsdale, Ariz., also operates and manages more than 70 international and national recreation-related properties in varying sizes and complexity. They have partnered with other state parks, the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service, including operations at Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton, Blue Ridge Parkway, Olympic national parks and others.

"We believe Forever Resorts will be an experienced and visionary partner with the state and serve Montauk State Park and its visitors very well. At Lake of the Ozarks State Park, they have shown that they combine good customer service with efficient business practices to provide an outstanding service to the park," said Doug Eiken, director of the department's Division of State Parks. Eiken also said they have implemented environmentally friendly business practices and have increased gross sales and return to the state at Lake of the Ozarks State Park.

Eiken said that he would like to express his gratitude and thanks to James and Mary Coffman for the 18 years of service to Montauk State Park and its visitors. "The Coffmans have been a major long-term concessionaire for the state and have provided a very good service." The Coffmans were the first concessionaires in the state park system to develop leasehold improvements when they constructed a fourplex lodging unit at the park.

The new concessionaire was chosen following a competitive bidding process in accordance with state statutes and this occurs every time a concessionaire's contract is scheduled to expire. Forever Resorts was selected by a five-member evaluation team from a field of three bidders, including the incumbent concessionaire. The evaluation of bids, based on written plans and a personal interview, is in two parts. The first part is an independent, subjective evaluation on three main components: business plan; financial plan; and experience, expertise and reliability. The second objective part is the financial return to the state. The contract is for a 10-year term with renewal based on capital improvements.

Forever Resorts business plan described progressive marketing methods to attract new customers and a desire to expand the lodging, dining and retail space. Forever Resorts has a proven track record for their recycling efforts and energy-efficient programs.    

For more information about Missouri state parks and historic sites, call the Department of Natural Resources toll free at 800-334-6946 (toll free) or 800-379-2419 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) or visit www.mostateparks.com.

For news releases on the Web, visit www.dnr.mo.gov/newsrel. For a complete listing of upcoming meetings and events in the state park system, visit the online calendar at www.mostateparks.com/events/events.htm.

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