A partnership between two Kamsack residents has been able to obtain the rights to operate the Pickerel Point Concession at Madge Lake for 2017.
Madge Lake Developments, a company owned by Fred Perepiolkin and Rob Ritchie of Kamsack, was the successful bidder for the 2017 lease of the businesses known as the Pickerel Point Concession, laundry and marina.
Previously operated for a number of years by the Cote First Nation which has voluntarily surrendered its lease, the Pickerel Point business was acquired after a “mad scramble” in order to be operational this year. The business was opened at the end of June.
After this year, a long-term lease will be available, Ritchie explained, adding that Madge Lake Developments will be placing a bid for the business over the long term.
It is expected the business will be employing between six and eight persons, Perepiolkin said. The concession is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week until September, while the marina is open for business from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week.
Being handled at the concession, which features a retail space of about 2,500 square feet, are all the items one would expect from such an outlet, Perepiolkin said. This includes a full confectionery, camping supplies, a selection of meats and dairy products, children’s toys, basic groceries, soda pop and a large selection of ice cream.
In addition to being a partner at Madge Lake Developments, Perepiolkin, who with Ritchie is overseeing the Pickerel Point operation, is the supervisor at the Mage Lake Golf Resort and is a project manager for Ritchie Industries.
Also affected by the Cote First Nation’s surrender of its lease are the lodge, cabins and condominium units, said Erin Saunders, park manager. While Rich Patterson of the Madge Lake Golf Resort has acquired the rights to operate the cabins, the lodge and condo unit, which are in need of repair, will be going through the tendering process in the near future.
