Port commissioners eye maintenance at Boyer Park

Port of Whitman County commissioners discussed maintenance issues at Boyer Park at a their Aug. 21 meeting.

Port Commissioner Dan Boone said he is concerned about maintenance needs at the park. He said irrigation sprinklers and dock maintenance in the marina are his main concerns.

He and Kara Riebold, port staff member, met with Boyer operators Leo and Teri Haas last month.

“I suggested they need a maintenance person,” Boone told commissioners.

He noted the Haases have concentrated most of their time on the restaurant, the Snake River Bar and Grill, which has been remodeled and offers a variety of culinary cuisine.

Boone suggested the port’s $45,000 annual lease rate to the operators could be reduced if the operators used the balance of the reduction to hire a caretaker.

A letter addressing the port’s concerns was sent by the commission to the Haases, port director Joe Poire told the Gazette.

“We most certainly will renew our contract with them,” Poire said. “The port put in a $200,000 investment this year and is looking at putting in another substantial investment. We will outline a three- to five-year strategic plan for maintenance and capital investments.”