GAYLORD — About a year ago, water from the city of Gaylord began flowing to Alpen Bluffs Outdoor Resort on M-32 East. From that moment on, the facility’s water usage has been higher than normal.
Gaylord City Treasurer Travis Hewitt said Alpen Bluffs used about 106,000 cubic feet of water (equivalent to about 800,000 gallons) in June 2024. Last month, Alpen Bluffs used 141,000 cubic feet. A typical full-service car wash would use anywhere from 70,000 to 90,000 cubic feet in a month, noted Hewitt.
“At first we thought it might be from the initial startup of the system when they filled all of the lines in the park. The next month when we did the reading and it didn’t go down, we knew that wasn’t the case,” Hewitt said.
The resort incurred a water bill of $7,524 in May, which was paid. In fact, Hewitt said Alpen Bluffs is current on all of its water bills and said the resort has been working with the city to address the matter.
“They have been in communication with us and have hired several companies, including a line-leak detection firm. They have been trying to isolate where the water is going. At one point they thought it might be a faulty meter, which is not the case. We had our water guys out there and the confirmed there is nothing wrong with the meter,” said Hewitt.
The company is scheduled to discuss the matter at the June 24 city council meeting. All of the excess water used by the resort is potable, which means it is safe to drink.
“The city’s water ordinance does allow it to discontinue service where the usage is excessive or otherwise violates the water department’s regulations,” said city attorney Paul Slough.
Alpen Bluffs did not respond to a request for comment. Inukshuk Shores, a water park that features an obstacle course and swimming, is scheduled to open at the facility this month. Alpen Bluffs offers various accommodations, including spaces for RVs, motorhomes, glamping yurts and tiny log cabins.
The resort also features an outdoor pool, shipping container bar with entertainment venue, a playground, a seven-screen indoor golf simulator tavern with a full-service restaurant, pickleball courts, an 18-hole mini golf course and a dog park.
— Contact Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Alpen Bluffs resort to discuss high water usage at next Gaylord City Council meeting
Reporting by Paul Welitzkin, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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