Coronach -
The Coronach Golf Club and the Coronach Tourism Committee formed a trial partnership at the the beginning of the tourism season in 2008, which saw the Big Muddy Badlands tours point of take off move from the Coronach Tourist Information Booth at the north end of Centre Street to the Coronach Golf Course Clubhouse. Calls from tourists were also redirected from the booth to clubhouse staff. The Mine and Plant Tours continued to leave from the tourist booth on Centre Street.
The tourism committee and the golf club were very happy with the way the partnership went and in the spring of 2009, decided to make it a permanent arrangement. The group was happy with the shared cost of staffing costs as well as the increase of service to tourists with the clubhouse being open from May till October, and the tourist booth only open July and August.
The Coronach Tourist Booth was permanently closed in April, 2009.
With the closing of the Tourist Booth, The Mine and Plant tours now originate from the C.R. Plumbing store at 220 Centre Street.
Val Rousseau, coordinator and tour guide for the Mine and Plant Tours said, "space was limited at the clubhouse for storage of Mine and Plant hard hats, safety goggles, flags, etc. so we had to find another place to host the tours. Bruce Lambert, previous manager of Poplar River Mine, and Stan Slotsve, previous manager of Poplar River Power Station agreed that the tours could therefore operate from C.R. Plumbing's store on Centre St." Rousseau created a reception area in the front area of the plumbing store to accommodate tourists. "The separate locations of the two Coronach tours has reportedly been somewhat confusing to the tourist, but accommodating." Rousseau stated.
Rousseau reported that as of August 11, Mine and Plant Tours toured over 350 people on over 49 tours, down from other years. Our school groups were down this year. This has been reportedly due to school bus transportation insurance issues." she said.
Rousseau reported visitors from distant places such as Puerto Rico, Australia, Germany, and the Netherlands.
"Everyone is extremely impressed with the reclaimed lands at the mine, and our clean emissions from the stack at the Power Station. Our tours certainly spark comments on the cons of nuclear energy. And upon completion of the tour, everyone comments on their appreciation of power." concluded Rousseau.
Tours continue to operate daily at 9:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. and are free of charge. To book a tour call 267-2078.
Tammy Clavelle, manager of the Coronach Golf Clubhouse, reported a busy season with 101 groups taking the Big Muddy Badlands Tour, from as close as Bengough to as far away as Japan!
"Everyone always has good things to say about the tour, they enjoy it! It is going well!" said Clavelle.
Clavelle reported that the move of the tourism office to the clubhouse has been very good for business at the golf course. The clubhouse offered a lunch service to the tourists this year, which Clavelle reported has went over very well.
"They see how gorgeous our golf course is and they want to golf. Our kitchen has been busy too with people stopping after." said Clavelle. "Lots of groups have golfed and then took the tour."
The Big Muddy Badlands Tours employ four tour guides: Tillie Duncan, Brent Wagner, Mable Shain and Patricia Manske.
Manske has lived in the area for 40 years and has always enjoyed the history. Manske is in her second year as a tour guide and is really enjoying it. "I have had groups from France, Texas, Michigan. . . all over! It's interesting. You meet people from all over who have different outlooks. I'm actually quite proud of our country and I like to educate them about what life was and is like. They have no idea what it was like for pioneers."
Big Muddy Badland Tours are offered to groups in four and seven hour lengths, going out on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Private tours are also arranged daily.
