Published: Friday, August 11, 2006
Forum considers changes at Mosquito Lake
The lodge feasibility study will be completed by year's end.
By TIM YOVICH
CORTLAND — Should the name of Mosquito Lake be changed?
That was one of several suggestions discussed Friday at a forum involving a task force that favors building a lodge at the lake in Trumbull County.
The forum, which took place at Lake Vista, was conducted by Susan Miller, management director of LCS Consulting of Honolulu, which is studying the proposal to determine if there is a market for it.
Miller said she plans to conduct similar "brainstorming" sessions with the business community and people selected who may or may not favor the proposal.
The study should be completed by the end of the year, she noted.
Why change the name?
State Rep. Randy Law of Warren, R-64th, said he favored changing the name of the reservoir for marketing purposes.
Law said some people believe it's a joke when he tells them in Columbus that he's going to Mosquito.
Miller and Melissa Long, former Cortland mayor, disagreed with Law's assessment of changing the name.
During the first stage of her study, Miller said she has found that access roads are not a problem, and that people are interested in good food and beverages at a low cost.
She explained that building a golf course associated with the lodge would not generate money because the area has enough golf courses.
Atty. William Letson, a spokesman for Trumbull 100, a group that chipped in money to fund the study, said that a short nine-hole executive golf course shouldn't be ruled out. A putt-putt course would draw families.
It was also suggested that a fresh-water biology center for research in conjunction with Youngstown State and Kent State universities and Hiram College might be considered. Visitors could observe the research.
Some thought that if the lodge were built on the west side of the lake, a ferry could take people to the east shore to shop in Cortland. The ferry also could be used to cruise around the lake.
Miller explained that winter presents a problem in providing events. Thus, an indoor wellness center and space for retreats and educational classes should be considered.
Other suggestions
Task force members suggested indoor and outdoor swimming pools and a water park.
"We have to determine what can be done to make the facility a destination," Miller advised.
To attract senior citizens, it was suggested that the lodge provide room service for those on special diets and warmed or covered sidewalks to make it easier to get around.
Cortland Mayor Curt Moll said that since people are moving here from other parts of the country because of affordable housing, a market exists for a place for their relatives to stay while visiting.
It was pointed out that hunting and fishing is a large business in the area, attracting people from large metropolitan areas who have no place close to stay.
An ice skating rink was also proposed because the nearest one is in Boardman.
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