Kayak program posting positive results
Nearly 100 rentals so far this year
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FAIRMONT - As the years have passed since the kayak rentals were first posted at Gomsrud Park by the Fairmont Lakes Foundation, it has become more recognized and is continuing to grow and gain popularity.
The program started in 2018 and looked slightly different from what it does now.
"We started with the bait shop, where they would go and get the keys to come and rent, and pay them," Fairmont Lakes Foundation Chairman, Jon Omvig, said.
Ultimately, Sommer Outdoors started selling kayaks, raising concerns of a potential conflict of interest. Additionally, everything was done physically with cash or checks at the time, with no online option. With that, the decision was made to change up how the kayak rentals are done around three years ago.
"Shell (gas station) agreed to take it over, and we decided to go with a company called FareHarbor, which is an online rental," Omvig said. "You can go online to the Fairmont Lakes Foundation web page. There's pull-down menus for rental. Fill out your name, rental information, email. Once you’re registered, go to the Shell station. They will give you a key to the kayak station, life jacket and paddles."
There were concerns about the change at first, but over the past several years, it has paid off.
"We were a little concerned that if it was all online, and we didn’t take cash or checks, if that would hurt the rent, because a lot of people were coming in with cash," Omvig said. "It hasn’t. It’s done just the opposite. The convenience of it, especially once people got used to it."
Currently, kayaks can be rented for four or eight hours, and there are seven kayaks and two paddleboards for rent.
When it first started and was catching on, Omvig said the cost was subsidized so it could continue to be used, and it did not make any money. With the streamlining of services online and expanding the season, Omvig and Fairmont Lakes Foundation Board Member, Steve Myren, said the program has now started to turn a corner.
"Last year, we did better than break even," Omvig said. "Not significantly. We didn’t lose, which was great. This year, there may be a slight profit that we can invest back into it."
"Back in 2018, I think it was just Memorial Day to Labor Day that you could rent them," Myren said. "Now we start it like May 1 and go to mid-October."
Where this growth has also been seen is in the raw numbers. Last year, there were 111 rentals total, which also included singular rentals that involved multiple kayaks. This year, they have already reached 97 rentals. Omvig said they haven't even reached August, which is usually their best month. Myren said October is also a popular time, as there are fewer boats out on the lakes.
With this growth, there have been talks about potential program expansion, adding another array of kayaks to a different lake. However, that has been put on hold unless the conditions come together.
"If we put it in another location, we have to have a nearby business or a location to have the keys and safety equipment and paddle," Omvig explained.
Even so, the recent success has allowed the Fairmont Lakes Foundation to look at replacing some of the kayaks, which have been there since the program opened eight years ago.
"Some of our equipment’s getting a little dated," Omvig said. "It’s time for us to start planning. In the near future, we’re going to have to do another fundraising [run]."
Overall, Omvig said the Fairmont Lakes Foundation is happy with where the program is and its success.
For more information, visit fairmontlakesfoundation.com/kayak-rental/.