April 22, 2004

Scouts explore sale of camp to DNR
Council announced partial sale of land in February
By Dylan Thomas
Free Press Staff Writer
MANKATO - The Twin Valley Council Executive Board approved a plan to explore whether Boy Scout supporters can raise enough money to sell part of Camp Cuyuna on Cross Lake to the Department of Natural Resources Tuesday night.

The council announced in February it would sell a portion of Cuyuna and lease office space in its new headquarters to both reduce a crippling debt burden and fund improvements to its program and two other camps.

Council Executive Director Paul Wilkinson said the board has chosen to see if the DNR plan is feasible before deciding accept its offer or those from two private individuals. The DNR plan requires scouts to come up with money to match an agency grant.

"Basically, we've said we want to give it a shot," Wilkinson said.

All three parties are bidding on a 163-acre parcel recently appraised at about $1 million. The parcel contains Big Pickerel and Little Pickerel lakes and a family camping area, but is not generally used by Scouts while at summer camp.

Wilkinson said the DNR plan was attractive to some on the board because the land would remain undeveloped. The agency would buy it through the Reinvest in Minnesota program, or RIM, developed to acquire critical fish and wildlife habitat.

Through RIM, however, Scouts would be required to raise $450,000, which the agency would then match. The DNR would also pay $300,000 cash up front for a total of $1.2 million, Wilkinson said.

Wilkinson said a local development group has offered the council $1.4 million for the parcel. The group would retain the family camping area in the near term and allow families to use the facilities free of charge for the next five years.

A second party, whom Wilkinson described as a former Scout from the area, offered $1.5 million for the parcel. He, too, agreed to allow use of the facilities for five years, Wilkinson said.

A fundraising committee formed to explore whether it's possible to raise matching funds for the DNR grant will report back to the board June 8.

Meanwhile, Wealth Enhancement Group, a Wayzata-based financial services company, has leased the 2,174-square-foot office space in the council's headquarters. Wilkinson said they plan to hold an open house tonight.

Wilkinson said the lease will provide about $28,000 in revenue per year. In addition, renovations the group made to the space prior to moving in will enhance its value, he said.

Last Updated: April 23, 2004