Grand Rapids-based Northgate, which owns nine Jellystone Parks in seven states, won the award for having achieved the strongest year-over-year growth in business of any operator that owns multiple Jellystone Parks.
“We continue to see double digit growth across our whole portfolio,” said Zachary Bossenbroek, CEO of Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Northgate Resorts.
“This year, our average revenue increase per park was 26 percent, and we saw an even greater increase in our net operating income.”
Bossenbroek said the Jellystone Park™ brand has a powerful connection with families who enjoy camping in resorts that offer wholesome activities and top notch recreational amenities.
“The Yogi brand is working for us,” he said, adding, “The fastest growing camping demographic is the family demographic, and the Yogi brand certainly appeals to that group.”
Northgate achieved its biggest revenue success this year with its Jellystone Park Guadalupe River in Kerrville, Texas, which saw a 233 percent increase in its operating revenue.
“This was the first year that we realized the full benefit of the Yogi brand conversion, the addition of new cabins and a new 30,000 square foot water park at our Kerrville park,” Bossenbroek said.
Northgate plans to make even more improvements to its Kerrville park.
“We are adding 27 cabins there as well as sizable RV site upgrades,” he said. “We are also looking to add a waterslide complex sometime next year with multiple slides between — all ranging between 200 and 400 feet in length.”
Northgate also plans to make improvements before next summer at the following Jellystone Park Camp-Resort locations:
— Bostic, N.C.: Northgate recently acquired a former 550-acre Girl Scout camp in Golden Valley, which it is converting into a Jellystone Park that will open June 22, 2018.
— Canyon Lake, Texas: Ten more RV sites with full hookups are being added to this camp-resort.
— Gardiner, N.Y.: Nearly 20 more cabins are being added to this camp-resort as well as 20 more RV sites with full hookups, plus an open air pavilion with mountain views and a double sided fireplace built with locally sourced stone. “We expect our new pavilion to attract weddings and other special events,” Bossenbroek said.
— Hagerstown, Md.: Two four-bedroom family lodging accommodations that can sleep up to 16 are being added in time for next summer’s camping season.
— Lodi, Calif.: Numerous improvements are being made at this recently acquired park, including a new water play park with a lazy river and a miniature golf course. Many of its RV sites are also being upgraded to “Red Carpet” pull through sites with cement slabs. Eighteen new cabins are also being installed.
— Luray, Va.: A waterslide complex with multiple slides up to 376 feet in length and a new activity pool is targeted for completion by Memorial Day weekend.
— Memphis, Tenn.: Two new inflatable slides will be installed at this park.
— Quarryville, Penn.: A 5,000-square foot Amish-style pavilion is being added to this camp-resort for family reunions and other special events. “The pavilion will have a double-sided stone fireplace, exposed beams and have the feel of a Lancaster Amish style barn,” Bossenbroek said.
For more information about these and other Jellystone Parks, please visit www.CampJellystone.com.
About Northgate Resorts
Northgate Resorts is a family owned real estate company, based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dedicated to guest satisfaction and providing a family friendly camping experience, Northgate owns and operates premier RV and cabin resorts throughout the country, including nine Jellystone Park locations. For more information on Northgate Resorts, please visit www.northgateresorts.com.
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