93°F
weather icon Clear

Lake Mead Cruises to sail under new owners

The longtime operators of Lake Mead Cruises plan to hand over operation of the Desert Princess paddlewheel boat tours to a multinational corporation.

Philadelphia-based Aramark, which operates food, facility management and uniform services in 22 countries, was recently awarded a 10-year concession contract by the National Park Service to operate Lake Mead National Recreation Area’s sightseeing boat tours.

Aramark’s parks and recreation division provides hospitality services at seven state and national parks throughout the United States, including Denali National Park and Preserve in Healy, Alaska; Olympic National Park in Port Angeles, Wash.; and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Lake Powell, Utah.

“We are excited to have Aramark join us at Lake Mead,” said Bill Dickinson, superintendent, Lake Mead National Recreation Area. “They have a long history of outstanding customer service in national parks and an enduring appreciation for the preservation of our nation’s resources. We are pleased that, as partners, we will continue to share quality visitor services with our nearly 7 million annual visitors.”

As a requirement of the new contract, Aramark will operate the tours at least twice a day, five days a week from March through October, and once per day, four days a week, in February and November, the Park Service said.

The contract also requires Aramark to continue offering a snack bar with a range of beverage options on the Desert Princess and landing facilities.

The Park Service plans to lease the Desert Princess and the landing to Aramark, park service spokeswoman Christie Vanover said. The park service purchased the landing in 2011 and the boat in 2012.

However, additional details are unknown because the contract has not been finalized and signed, Vanover said. She anticipates it will be signed in December.

“Aramark was selected, but the contract still needs to be finalized and signed before we know the transition date and details of cruises offered,” Vanover said.

Under the contract, Aramark is allowed to change the name of the Desert Princess if it wishes, Vanover said.

It is unknown whether the business name will change or continue to be called Lake Mead Cruises, Aramark spokesman David Freireich said.

When asked whether Aramark will keep current Lake Mead Cruises employees, Freireich said, “The plan is to partner with current employees.”

At peak season, Lake Mead Cruises employs about 30 people, but the staff is reduced during the winter months, said General Manager Lisa Stephens.

Stephens could not provide transition details, stating last week that she had not yet had any contact with Aramark.

However, she said the transition is scheduled for sometime in December.

According to the Lake Mead Cruises website, cruises will operate “as usual” through Dec. 31, with departures at noon and 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. The website states dinner and champagne brunch cruises will resume in the spring.

Lake Mead Cruises owners Rod and Meg Fair have operated the Desert Princess and the business for 25 years, but decided to “move on to new adventures,” according to the website.

The Park Service solicited bids for the new contract April 5 through June 26. The Fairs did not bid.

MOST READ
LISTEN TO THE TOP FIVE HERE
THE LATEST
Search for Central Market tenant continues

It’s been just short of two months since of a trio of friends, who are also longtime local property and business owners, made an announcement that piqued the interest of many in Boulder City.

About 83% of students feel safe at BC schools

Councilwoman Sherri Jorgensen was full of praise regarding a recent all-schools event at the high school.

Local aid groups get fed grant funding

The city has approved disbursement of almost $255,000 in federally-supplied community development block grant (CDBG) funds to three local entities: the Senior Center, Emergency Aid and Lend A Hand.

Planning commission approves Tract 350 variance request

Toll Brothers bettered their record in front of the planning commission to 2-1 last month when the developer got approval for a variance request related to the width of lots in Tract 350.

Kicking Off the New Year

Boulder City High School held its traditional back-to-school assembly this past Friday. School spirit and enthusiasm filled the gym as classes competed against one another to hold the coveted Spirit Stick. Aside from games, members of the fall sports teams performed to songs.

BC Electric’s Medo makes accusations about e-bike/scooter law

While the great majority of public comment surrounding the issues of unsafe usage — often by juveniles — of e-bikes and electric scooters was firmly on the side of the city “doing something,” not everyone is onboard.

So where does that RDA money come from?

It wasn’t all about donuts or whether super bright pink is an appropriate color for a building in the historic district. In addition to donuts it was about, well, dollars.

King to participate in essay contest

Last week, it was announced that fourth graders throughout the state are invited to participate in an essay contest, with the winner receiving the honor of lighting the 2025 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree in Washington, D.C.

Really better buy that helmet

With a couple of significant amendments, the city council voted unanimously to pass an ordinance regulating the use of e-bikes and e-scooters in Boulder City. The ordinance passed unanimously Tuesday and will take effect on Sept. 18.