Crater Lake, Oregon Caves to get new concessionaire

By Lee Juilleratfor the Mail Tribune

Posted at 3:45 PMUpdated at 5:56 PM

A new concessionaire will take over visitor services at Crater Lake National Park and Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve effective Nov. 1.

The National Park Service announced Tuesday the selection of Crater Lake Hospitality LLC, a subsidiary of Aramark, to operate visitor services at both of the popular facilities.

The concessioner will operate lodging, including Crater Lake Lodge, a campground, boat tours, food service and retail operations at Crater Lake.

At Oregon Caves, it will operate the Chateau, along with food services and retail operations.

Crater Lake Hospitality replaces Xanterra Parks and Resorts, which has managed concession services at Crater Lake for 15 years, and Oregon Caves Outfitters, which has managed Oregon Caves services for 17 years. Aramark is a major concession operator that manages several national parks, including Yosemite.

Craig Ackerman and Vicki Snitzler, superintendents at Crater Lake and Oregon Caves, stressed the concession contract was awarded through a competitive selection process that combines two currently separate operations under one contract. Both learned of the decision Tuesday.

Ackerman, Snitzler and staff at the two parks were not involved in the bid selection process. Both superintendents said they are looking forward to learning details of the new contracts, which will not be made public until a 60-day review process.

“I’m excited to see what they say,” Ackerman said of the contracts, although he noted Aramark officials showed a strong interest in managing concession operations at both parks during site visits to Crater Lake and Oregon Caves last August.

“I did find a lot of their thoughts and proposals to be very community-minded,” Snitzler said of impressions from Aramark. “You could tell they had done their homework.”

Snitzler, Ackerman and Sean Denniston, acting Crater Lake superintendent while Ackerman is on assignment until mid-May as acting superintendent at Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, emphasized the competitive bidding process is mandated. Seven different groups participated in site visits held last August.

“The staff and partners at Crater Lake National Park and Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve are excited to welcome Crater Lake Hospitality LLC to Southern Oregon,” Ackerman said. “We look forward to continuing to meet the needs of our visitors through high-quality commercial services.”

“Craig and I are very excited,” Snitzler said. “It’s going to be a transition at both parks. We certainly want to express our gratitude for both Xanterra and Oregon Caves Outfitters.”

Bruce W. Fears, president of Aramark’s leisure division, said in a press release the company was pleased to get both contracts.

“We’ve enjoyed a long partnership with the National Park Service and look forward to working with them to enhance hospitality services, guest amenities and recreational activities at these renowned destinations,” Fears said.

A combined contract for both parks was a major change in the bidding process.

“It made a lot of sense to look at the possibility of combining them,” Denniston said. “It was a business decision and is intended to have the best service and best consistency at both parks. Visitors shouldn’t see anything that’s different.”

The historic Oregon Caves Chateau will be closed this year and 2019 for planned extensive rehabilitation, something Snitzler sees as an advantage because it will allow Crater Lake Hospitality to focus on Crater Lake. During the lodge closure, the current and future Oregon Caves concessionaires will be allowed to offer food and beverage service. She said Oregon Cave Outfitters will continue to operate the visitor center in Cave Junction and may work with the park on “other business opportunities,” such as guided hikes.

Reach freelance reporter Lee Juillerat at 337lee337@charter.net or 541-880-4139.

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