The Elkhart City Parks & Recreation Board on a unanimous vote approved a memorandum of understanding with a campground consulting group to prepare a market feasibility study and five-year pro forma for a possible RV park at Ideal Beach.

Jamieson, parks staff, told the board the study will assess whether an RV park is financially viable and help the city recruit a private partner to build and operate the facility. "We're looking at the potential of an RV park by a private partner," Jamieson said, noting the project team will start with market feasibility and then prepare a five-year pro forma.

The parcel under consideration covers roughly 23 acres. Jamieson said an initial estimate suggests the site could yield between about 50 and 100 RV spaces depending on engineering and layout. He said the intent is to retain a forested, nature-focused camping experience and minimize removal of mature trees. "So minimal cutting down of trees is the goal, and we want people to have a camping experience where they feel like they're in nature," Jamieson said.

Board members asked about public input, scope and cost. One board member noted the initial study cost cited in the discussion and asked about outreach; Jamieson said the work will include stakeholder conversations but initially be largely internal to produce data needed before a broader public process. The board discussed whether the study responds to expressed community interest or is primarily a staff initiative; Jamieson said the city has received considerable community feedback about reinvesting in Ideal Beach and sees the RV park as one option to increase sustainable revenue.

The board discussed cost and timing of future construction. Board members cited a figure during discussion for study expenses and noted building costs have been estimated in past planning efforts; Jamieson said earlier master-plan level estimates exist but current engineering and final costs are not yet known and will be clarified by the consultant's work.

The feasibility study is intended to clarify likely capital needs, estimated revenues, environmental and tree impacts, and whether a private partner would be interested in investing or operating amenities such as a beach bar and grill. The board approved the memo of understanding to begin the study and move toward partner recruitment.

Next steps: the consulting group will prepare the feasibility and pro forma; staff said findings will be presented to the board for consideration before any formal partnership or capital commitments are pursued.