Mosquito water park, lodge hit ODNR snag

The ODNR is concerned with Mosquito’s competing against other lodges.

BAZETTA — Backers of a proposed $35 million lodge and water park at Mosquito Reservoir have not abandoned their efforts, despite opposition from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

About $80,000 has been spent thus far on a feasibility study, including money from Trumbull 100, a coalition of local civil and government groups.

William Letson, Trumbull 100 spokesman, said Monday that the supporters of the project, which is designed to spur economic development, will try to work around the ODNR.

Letson said Sean Logan, ODNR director, explained during a meeting Friday that he didn’t want ODNR money going to the lodge and water park.

Letson said he was “disappointed” and “very surprised” at Logan’s position, partly because Logan said his decision is supported by Gov. Ted Strickland.

What’s so ironic is that the local group isn’t asking ODNR for any financial support, Letson said, and vthat Strickland has said one of his top priorities is tourism.

The Mahoning Valley “needs a shot in the arm” when it comes to development, Letson added.

Logan doesn’t want a facility at Mosquito to compete with lodges at Geneva and Punderson state parks.

Letson counters that the feasibility study shows that a Mosquito lodge wouldn’t compete with Geneva or Punderson.

Also, Logan wants to maintain what facilities ODNR currently operates, and that any money used by the department for the Mosquito Lake project would detract from that.

Letson suggested that any money from the state could come from economic development funds rather than ODNR.

Because the land around the lake in Bazetta Township is owned by the Army Corps of Engineers and leased to ODNR, it makes it more difficult for the local group to gain control of the land because of Logan’s position.

Letson said a possible solution is that the ODNR give up the lease to property designated for the lodge facility and water park and for local representatives to work directly with the corps.