Oct. 5-11 closure will allow work to be done

New metal roofing has been installed on the restaurant and two cabins at Clear Lake Resort and a generator and 1,000-gallon diesel fuel tank will be moved this fall, according to Brian Carroll, Linn County Parks & Recreation director.

The equipment will be moved away from the main parking and lodge area, closer to Highway 126, to decrease chances of contaminating the lake should a leak occur and reduce noise near the cabins and restaurant.

The resort will be closed the week of Oct. 5-11 so the project can be completed, Carroll said.

"EWEB (Eugene Water and Electric Board) is going to pay for the majority of this project," Carroll said. "Clear Lake is the headwaters of their drinking water system."

Improvements also have been made on the resort's wastewater and drinking water systems, Carroll said.

Linn County purchased the resort in 2007 from the Santiam Fish and Game Association, whose membership was growing older and could no longer keep up maintenance projects. The resort sits on property leased from the U.S. Forest Service.

Clear Lake Resort includes a restaurant and bait shop, 14 cabins, five tent sites and 85 rental row boats.

Carroll said he is working with the Forest Service to determine the historic significance of the cabins. They have been added onto over the years, but if they are deemed historic, may fall under federal guidelines in terms of what types of remodeling would be permitted.

"Usage has been fabulous," Carroll said. "We would like to winterize the cabins so they can be used year round. There are lots of activities in the winter such as skiing and snowmobiling in the area."

Carroll said he is also exploring developing alternative energy resources, such as solar.

"This might be really useful during our shoulder seasons or the winter," Carroll said.

Clear Lake Resort generated $315,000 last season, Carroll said, up about $30,000 from when it was operated by the association.

"We're trying to use the extra income for repairs and improvements," Carroll said.