CLEARLAKE ? The Clearlake City Council extended its support Thursday in the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce”s effort to bring fishing tournaments back to the city by way of waiving fees for use of the Clearlake Senior/Community Center during an upcoming tournament.
The chamber is expecting to welcome as many as 250 anglers to the community when 100 percent Bass concludes its season with a tournament on Clear Lake, Oct. 1 through 4. An awards ceremony will be held at the senior/community center on the evening of Oct. 3.
Mayor Chuck Leonard voted against the action, citing a previous action by the council that established a policy allowing a 50-percent discount on facility rental fees for all nonprofits. Leonard questioned if waiving the fee for the chamber in this case would set precedence for future requests by nonprofit organizations.
Councilmember Overton also presented the same question although she said she came to realize the chamber is different, agreeing with Vice Mayor Judy Thein”s assessment that the chamber is an “economic engine” working cooperatively for the city.
City Administrator Dale Neiman indicated that he did not believe waiving the rental fee in this request would set precedence because the event will benefit the community as a whole. He said it would be in the city”s best long-term interest to try to bring fishing tournaments back to the city. “This would benefit the city by increasing our bed tax and sales tax revenues. It would also benefit the local businesses and improve the image of the city,” he said. “If the chamber were to be successful in bringing a lot of fisherman here it would make sense (to support this request).”
Lori Peters, chamber executive director, said the organization”s goal is to increase local commerce. “The chamber is not looking to be a fishing tournament organization. We are looking to support our local businesses,” she said. “In the past, fishing tournaments supported the businesses and the businesses supported the fishing tournaments. That”s what we”re looking to bring back.”
According to Peters, at one time Clearlake had been the location of choice for all fishing tournaments. “Fishing tournaments have not been in Clearlake for some time. They used to be here exclusively and then other venues around the lake opened up with new boat launches and facilities and the tournaments started going to other venues instead of Clearlake,” she said. “The businesses and the City of Clearlake were very interested in bringing those tournaments back to the City of Clearlake. So, the chamber spoke to many of the fishing tournaments to find out what their needs are so we could address them.”
Peters said the primary concern for fishing tournament organizers was safety. “Chief Allan McClain has stepped up to the plate with use of his Explorers and his Volunteers In Policing (VIP) program. They will be handling more like a security detail when the tournaments are here, which pleased the tournament representatives,” she said.
Peters continued, “The second challenge was the cleanliness and use of the facilities we have here. The City of Clearlake Public Works” Doug Herren stepped in and over the last year has been working on Redbud Park. So, we have full use of the bathroom facilities. We have the best free boat launch on the lake and plenty of parking. The grounds are clean and perfect for picnics and things.”
Peters said the chamber has been evaluating use of Redbud Park through attendance at Friday Night Farmers” Market events. “The people attending the market really love the upgrades to Redbud Park and we think the fishermen will love them, too,” she said.
The 100% Bass year-end tournament is expected to draw 250 anglers to the community. The chamber is seeking volunteers who would like to help with the event. She said the chamber would like to present the fishermen with goodie bags that showcase the community and is seeking donations from area businesses that would contribute to the endeavor.
For more information, contact the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce at 994-3600.
