By Susan Thompson | Lake Panoraam Times
About 35 LPA members attended the Aug. 30 managers coffee to hear updates from John Rutledge, Lake Panorama Association (LPA) general manager, and Royce Shaffer, Lake Panorama National (LPN) director of operations.
RIZ projects
The meeting opened with a review of Lake Panorama Rural Improvement Zone (RIZ) projects. The 2024-25 RIZ fiscal year began July 1. Rutledge said RIZ revenues will continue to grow, with 2024-25 collections exceeding $3.5 million.
“We are very fortunate to have RIZ in place, as it allows us to recover about 35% of the tax dollars paid by Lake Panorama property owners to continue dredging and other water quality efforts,” he said. “It’s important to note RIZ is not a factor in driving property taxes higher. RIZ has not levied a standby tax for years, and we don’t anticipate that happening in the near future.”
Current projects being financed by RIZ include expansion of the old CIPCO sediment basin, renamed the 180th Trail Basin. This basin is north of the debris trap near the dredge dock.
“This project is progressing but is somewhat slower than originally expected,” Rutledge said. “The soils are wetter than anticipated, so completion of this $4 million project will be sometime in 2025.”
For the third year, RIZ has a program that offers incentives to producers in the Lake Panorama watershed who plant cover crops. Cover crops reduce both nutrient and soil loss during the time between fall harvest and spring planting/emergence.
RIZ is in the process of developing specifications for a new dredge and booster pump, and a request for bids will be out soon. It’s anticipated the dredge and booster pump will be built and delivered in early-to-mid 2026.
“The current dredge and booster were placed into service in 2014 and will be sold on the used market,” Rutledge said. “Both the dredge and booster rely on a combination of technology and hardware. Although the hardware can last well beyond 12 years, the technology does not. The RIZ board has determined the timing of this trade makes the most sense with regard to replacement intervals.”
Two wetlands remain in the permitting process. RIZ also continues to work on some land acquisitions for sediment basins and water quality endeavors.
“We are exploring the feasibility and cost of bringing in a small dredge contractor to address sediment in Stanley Cove and the pond on the 13th hole of the LPN golf course,” Rutledge said. “Our dredge is too large to work in these areas. It’s too early to know if this will be possible, but both of these projects are items of concern we’re hoping to address in the next year or two.”
Water levels, legislators, a dam scour and sealcoating
Turning to LPA business, Rutledge said the lake is down just an inch or two.
“We should be able to get through the rest of the 2024 season without a lot of concern or discussion about the potential for boats to be stranded on lifts,” he said.
The 2024 Iowa legislative session was successful for Lake Panorama.
“Now is a great time to meet your legislators and thank them for their support, as the 2025 session will soon be upon us,” Rutledge said. “We don’t have any priorities for this session, but we will be watching and prepared to play defense, if needed.”
Country Landscapes has completed the repair of a lake bottom scour in front of the dam.
“This project went very well. It was an area in the lake bottom that had been bowled out, probably by churning water. The contractor installed large rip rap in that area to ensure continued flow does not undermine the footings of the dam,” Rutledge said.
Sta-Bilt, the company that does seal coating on LPA roads, has completed its work for this year.
“We were able to have about six miles done, with the final cost being about $40,000 per mile,” Rutledge said. “That is not quite double what we paid in 2021.”
Wake boats
The LPA water safety committee held its fall meeting Aug. 29.
“We have an ongoing conversation on the topic of wake boats,” Rutledge said. “The committee and LPA board have received feedback from members who want to see these boats banned or restricted. At the same time, the committee and board have received feedback from wake boat owners who maintain this is a broader issue related to education and the conduct of the vessel operators.
“I believe it is our job to look at these concerns objectively and collaboratively rather than jump to any rash decisions,” Rutledge continued. “I’m pleased to say a number of wake boat owners have stepped up and volunteered to help increase education about safe and appropriate operation. This topic is something we will continue to work on, with a deliberate effort to ensure all interested parties are at the table.”
At the water safety meeting, the committee recommended a rule change that clarifies no 360-degree spins are allowed on personal water craft in the lake’s main channel. The LPA board of directors will review this recommendation at their September meeting.
Deer hunting, brush dumps and walking
The LPA deer hunting program will be the same as the past several years.
“It works well,” Rutledge said. “It controls the population but does not seek to eliminate it. If we didn’t have this program, we would be overrun with deer, and they would suffer from disease and lack of food.”
Rutledge said LPA members need to follow the rules at the brush dumps.
“Most people do, but there are a handful who don’t, and they risk ruining this for the entire membership,” he said. “If you hire a contractor, please emphasize they need to follow the rules, as they are provided access to the facilities on your behalf. And if you see other members dumping something that isn’t allowed, please speak up.”
Walking on LPA roads also was discussed.
“It’s dangerous,” Rutledge said. “If you choose to do it, please walk single file, against traffic. If you want to listen to music, don’t put in both ear buds. Wear bright or reflective clothing. Do not walk on 200th Road. It is not built to accommodate foot traffic.”
Bylaws
Rutledge reviewed details of a ballot measure to update the LPA bylaws. Members will receive a mailing in late September with a ballot and a numbered envelope in which to return the completed ballot. A special meeting to announce the results of the vote will be Oct. 15, 6 p.m., at the LPN events center.
Squatters
To wrap up his remarks, Rutledge addressed rumors circulating on social media and in coffee shops about “squatters” moving into empty homes at Lake Panorama.
“Don’t believe what you read and hear on this topic,” he said. “There are no ‘squatters’ at Lake Panorama. Anyone who has questions about something they think might be happening is asked to call or email the LPA office to learn the truth. And if you’re not receiving the LPA Prompt, get signed up. That is the official means of LPA communication to the membership.”
Golf, swimming pool and fundraising
Royce Shaffer opened his report with an update on the two golf courses, saying both Lake Panorama National and Panorama West golf courses have been busy this year.
“LPN has had a full schedule of stay and play packages, corporate and charity golf outings, and other LPN events. While our annual golf pass sales are down 18 from 2023, green fee sales are slightly ahead of budgeted pace for the year,” he said.
Shaffer said the golf course is in good shape and thanked Brandon Waddle and Jared Baier for their work maintaining the LPN golf course. He also thanked Rob Riggins and Michael Kleinwolterink for their work running the golf operations.
At Panorama West, 123 golf passes were sold for 2024, which is two passes shy of 2023.
“Daily fee play is slightly outpacing passholder play for the year, and green fees are outperforming budget,” Shaffer said. “Thanks to Maureen Lubeck and Gary Dusenberry and their staff for all the work they do at Panorama West.”
Shaffer said the LPN Resort pool has been busy.
“There were 68 season passes sold this year, which is an increase of 15 over 2023,” Shaffer said. “Water aerobics continues to be popular on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This is free for anyone with a pool pass and $3 for others. Thanks to Nancy Clawson and Jennifer Dilley for leading these classes.”
The heated pool will continue to be open through September with hours of 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily. It will close for the season Sept. 30.
Shaffer talked about the capital campaign to raise funds for improvements to the LPN golf course that are beyond what LPA can do.
“The LPN board has set a goal of raising $500,000. We are all aware this is a long-term campaign that will take us several years to reach,” he said.
At the LPN board’s August meeting, it was decided enough money has been raised to start work on seven forward tee boxes this fall.
“These tee boxes will have the railroad ties removed, square footage expanded, be leveled, then sodded. We plan to seek bids in September with the hope of beginning and completing work this fall.”
Shaffer said two fundraising events are scheduled for Oct. 20. One is a four-person best shot golf tournament that begins at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start. The tournament will be limited to the first 36 teams that have registered and paid.
The second is a 20 Men Who Can Cook event.
“It is my belief that having a well-maintained Lake Panorama National golf course benefits all Lake Panorama property owners,” Shaffer said. “When we started this effort, we knew we needed to go beyond our core group of annual passholders and get the greater Lake Panorama community involved. This event gives us that opportunity.”
Each of the 20 men participating will prepare one food dish, which will be served to guests as a small sample. Appetizers, main dishes, side dishes and desserts will be offered. Advance tickets are $30.
Food and beverage
Shaffer talked about the LPN food and beverage operation.
“LPN food and beverage consists of three pieces,” he said. “First is the Spikes snack shop located by the first and tenth tees. Second is events and third is the restaurant. Of these three, Spikes does well. Events also can do well when they are consistent. The third piece is the restaurant, which is the most difficult piece to figure out.”
Shaffer said there are a lot of rumors about what is going to happen in 2025.
“Please know these are only rumors. I can tell you we are exploring a couple of options with the goal of making a decision in the next month or two,” he said.
The LPN Resort Weekly email highlights upcoming events at LPN and other relevant information.
“To get signed up, navigate to the website lakepanoramanational.com, scroll to the ‘get the latest news’ section, and enter your email. When there is an official announcement regarding 2025 food and beverage, this distribution list will be the first to know,” Shaffer said.
Following their prepared remarks, Rutledge and Shaffer fielded several questions and comments from the audience. A final managers coffee will be held once the 2025 budgets for both LPA and LPN, LLC are complete, probably in early December.