KELSEYVILLE >> Several individuals and groups have looked into purchasing the Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa in Kelseyville. Still, the venerable location, once famed for big name concerts and other events, remains vacant.
“Even though there has been a high level of interest and effort by multiple parties, so far a deal has not been reached that the county is aware of,” Lake County Deputy Administrative Officer Alan Flora said.
The Konocti Harbor Resort and Spa closed in 2009 when its owners, Local 38 of the United Association of Plumbers, Pipefitters and Journeymen from San Francisco, were forced to sell the property because of a federal lawsuit, which claimed the union mishandled members” benefits plans. An estimated $36 million was diverted from benefit plans into renovation and operating costs for the facility.
In June, a potential sales agreement for the resort expired because of a lack of funding after a major use permit application was filed with the county in September 2013. The permit was unanimously approved by the Lake County Planning Commission in December.
Proposed repairs, renovations and expansions were included in the permit application.
“We just didn”t have enough confidence,” Grant Sedgwick said. “It may be more easily done in the future than it was over the last six or seven months.”
Sedgwick is the president of Resort Equities, LLC, which had planned to modify the use plan from lodging-only to a combination of lodging and vacation property offerings. Vacation offerings included timeshare and other partial-ownership options.
Replacement of a number of obsolete buildings and substantial renovation of others, along with re-establishing concert programs in both the outdoor amphitheater and indoor dinner theater venues, were also part of the company”s long term vision.
According to the plans, some new units would have been erected and some old ones were slated to come down, resulting in a total of 321 units as opposed to the existing 252.
According to Sedgwick, Resort Equities, LLC, had a good relationship with the current owner of the property, county officials and residents.
“I never met anybody in Lake County that didn”t wish us well,” Sedwick said.
Local residents still kindle memories of the resort in its heyday and understand a reopened facility would bring employment and tourism dollars. County officials have been striving as well to fill the vacant space.
Flora said that “attracting a developer remains a high priority of the county”s economic development outreach efforts and new questions, ideas, and advocacy are addressed on a weekly basis.
“The County sees a tremendous potential for the resort to be brought back to its former glory,” he added. “The opportunities for development at this particular site are tremendous and the county would certainly entertain any ideas from potential developers in providing added value to the overall resort component of the property.”
When the permit was approved in December, Resort Equities, LLC, planned to include a small waterside bar and grill; to improve the functionality of the clubhouse with a port cochere and arrival court.
Plans from the failed sale also included new indoor/outdoor public spaces at the lakeside; an increase in the amount of concert parking spaces located onsite; relocation of the boat yard building for repair and storage of watercraft away from the shoreline and new concession stands and landscaping.
Existing buildings at the resort would also have to be brought into compliance with current ADA, life safety, seismic resistance and energy conservation codes.
The plans are still fresh in the minds of many around the county.
Originally purchased in 1959, the establishment was developed by the union to provide summer vacation opportunities for members and their families. The resort operated as a seasonal summer-only resort until CEO Greg Bennett”s arrival in 1990.
Bennett”s vision and expertise brought about a metamorphosis for the resort. He implemented a concert program immediately, turning the restaurant into a 1,000-seat showroom, and the softball field into a musical amphitheater, with featured national acts including Aerosmith, Kenny Chesney, KISS, Nickelback, Robert Plant, Joan Jett, Kid Rock, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, Ray Charles and Chrissie Hynde performing at the venue.
“There are a number of options for revitalizing the resort, and the County remains optimistic that the right partner will secure the facility as the economy continues to improve,” Flora said.
J.W. Burch can be reached at 900-2022
