Reel Fun Fishing is now discontinued
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ALPENA -- The discontinuation of the Reel Fun Fishing Tournament in Alpena shouldn't have a large impact on funding for the proposed Thunder Bay River Center at Duck Park.
It was announced earlier this month that the popular ice-fishing tournament on Grand Lake was being discontinued, leaving a gap in the revenue stream for the Thunder Bay River Center Board. The proceeds from the tournament went to help cover the cost of planning and construction of the interactive facility planned for Alpena.
River Center was intended to be a $4 million interactive exhibit, learning center, and wildlife research center, but the plan was scaled back in 2022 because of costs. It is expected to be done in two phases now, with a pavilion and restroom facility being constructed first, and the balance of the facility coming afterward when more money is raised or acquired.
River Center Board Chair Judy Kalmanek said over the past several years, some of the luster wore off of the Reel Fun tournament and participation had slipped. She said the amount of volunteers who plan and execute the event has also dwindled and that made it hard to continue forward with the event.
"Actually, beginning with COVID, we lost momentum and attendance was down," Kalmanek said. "We lost money last year. Fifteen years was a good run, people had a lot of fun, but we need to let it go."
The ice-fishing tournament was the largest fundraiser for River Center, but Kalmanek said new and exciting events are being considered to help raise money. She said the new Reel Fun Northland Challenge, which is a carnival featuring kayak races, puppy races, carnival games, food trucks, Jack Pine Lumberjack shows and more, could be grown to help replace the fishing tournament.
She said the Reel Fun Fishing dinner could also continue on. Each year, a dinner was held the night before fishing began with the proceeds going to the project. Kalmanek said there are still prizes leftover from past tournaments that will be auctioned off at the dinner this year.
"It will be like a wrap-up party, but we haven't set a date yet," she said.
She said other, smaller fundraisers could also blossom.
Bids for the first phase of construction for River Center are expected to be accepted late this winter or early spring, and the project wrapped up and the facility open by the end of the year.
She said the board will also continue to seek grants toward completion of the project.
Phase one of the project, which will cost in the ballpark of $300,000, will feature a pavilion which will also serve as an outdoor classroom and restrooms. The second phase is expected to cost an additional $2.8 million and aims to expand the facility to include the Watershed Room, aquariums, and a bird exhibit for people to enjoy and learn, a laboratory, and office space.
The final phase would fulfill the vision of the River Center and will have interactive exhibits involving water quality, dam placement and removal, invasive species control, promotion of native river fish, and supporting food sources. The will also be an outdoor laboratory and exploration of the habitat near and around Island Park and the Thunder Bay River.
There is no dedicated deadline for completion of the final two phases of the project.