FEATURED MEMBER: Shores of Leech Lake
May 24, 2012
Picture yourself spending a summer day at a beautiful marina with a cold beverage, friends, great stories, and a great view looking out at a beautiful harbor filled with sail boats. This is exactly what draws guests to Shores of Leech Lake year after year! Shores of Leech Lake is a marina best known for all of the sailboats that moor in the marina. Shores of Leech Lake is also the host of the Leech Lake Regatta; a three day sailing festival attracting sailors from around the Midwest.
Shores of Leech Lake has a 120 slip harbor where they rent slips on a seasonal basis. Many people do bring their own sailboats and rent a slip, however, Mitch Loomis, part owner of the resort, mentioned that he does refer people to sailboat renters in the area as well.
The resort is just 2 ½ miles north of Walkers on the paved Hartland and Paul Bunyan trails. In addition, each of Shores cottages has blacktopped access from the cottage door to the trail! Virtually all of Shores guests that have been there before know to bring their bicycles to ride to town or explore the forest and lakes by bicycle. When I asked Mitch how he would describe the overall atmosphere at the resort, he says, “the atmosphere is one of camaraderie and relaxed activity.”
Mitch explained that marinas have a different atmosphere from resorts. The people that stay there really tend to get involved in the marina. They walk around and get to know each other; they get to meet others that have a slip there or those that just come to enjoy the bar for our limited menu, tap beer and wine. He says it’s easy for people to develop relationships and find out what it going on in the area by talking to others at the resort. He claims,
“Marinas have a certain atmosphere where people tend to share more, drink more… it’s more of a vacation atmosphere.”
Shores of Leech Lake offers guests their first beverage free on Friday evenings – Shores guests have dubbed this “Free Beer Friday.”
“The marina atmosphere creates lots of stories,”explained Mitch. He told a story about a few sailors that mapped out each spot on the lake where a sail boat has gone down. In addition to the resorts appeal to sailors; fishermen, people with boats in general and families are drawn to the marina for the overall atmosphere. I asked Mitch what his favorite part of running a resort is, he responded “my favorite part is having something really nice for people to see and enjoy.”
He explained that when the resort looks nice and everything is in tip top shape, it creates a good mood. He states “we can’t make guests have a good time, but we can provide an environment to facilitate it!”
“Our mission is to provide the best facilities that we can to people that love the water!”
The resort has a strong commitment to the Walker community and all events. Coming up on July 4th the city will support a fundraiser event for the Walker Area Youth Hockey – Shores of Leech Lake encourages all to register. Follow this link for information: http://walkerareacommunitycenter.com/walker-waddle.