Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge has been listed on the market for several months, and while it has had several interested parties, it remains unsold.

EAGLE RIVER — While the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge has been experiencing a more financially successful season than it has in years, that success does not answer many questions for the KML Board.

In the event the lodge doesn’t sell, the board discussed whether it should be opened next season, or let it remain closed until it does.

“At this moment, it’s a little difficult to come up with a plan until we get a little more financial history later in the year,” Jim Vivian, board member said. “I have some ideas, but are they feasible financially? I’m at a loss, to tell you the truth.”

Vivian went on to say that because of the efforts of Harvey and Sue Desnick, procedures that have proven to be successful now exist that did not at the beginning of the year. They can be implemented should the board decide to operate the facility next year.

One issue of uncertainty is what the Department of Agriculture Rural Development and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will do in the event the KML does not sell by the end of the 2017 operating year.

“If it doesn’t sell this year, we’ve gone this season without having to make payments on the loan,” Del Rajala, board member said. “If it doesn’t sell, what is Rural Development and the EDC going to do with payments? Put it back on the table, so I think we should think very carefully about next year and what to do if it’s not sold.”

“My opinion was for this year, back in the beginning, just to dust the place off, close the doors, run the golf course and still try to sell it. But, we haven’t had to make a payment right now, but if it doesn’t sell, I think we should think seriously about re-opening.”

Rajala said if the county is ordered to make payments to Rural Development and the EDC, it would be cheaper for the county to keep the lodge closed next year.

Don Piche, board chairman, said what frightens him about closing the lodge completely is the vandalism that occurred at the Calumet Radar Base when that facility was closed.

“My understanding with closing it and walking away from it, and I understand the money end of it,” Piche said, “(is) take a ride to Mount Horace Greeley and take a look at that. That’s what scares me.”