Cal Lodge has struggled for far too long. The ASUC-managed property near Lake Tahoe provides a great retreat location for UC Berkeley students and others, but in recent years, it has lost a considerable amount of money — the ASUC estimates that the lodge lost upward of $27,000 last year.
To solve this problem, the ASUC has several options. It could decide to sell the lodge, close it down or renovate it — all of which Executive Vice President Justin Sayarath says he presented to the senate at the beginning of his term. Given the lodge’s ongoing problems, selling it seems like the easiest decision to make. But the ASUC hasn’t taken enough action to justify selling the lodge yet. Before ridding itself of the property altogether, the ASUC needs to maximize the lodge’s potential. Besides, it would be hard-pressed to find a buyer right now even if it wanted to sell the lodge.
Instead, the ASUC should focus its efforts on renovations. Specifically, it should transform Cal Lodge into a viable summer retreat location. Currently, according to lodge manager Dan Borge, the property is really only used as a wintertime lodge, making it difficult for the lodge to generate sufficient revenue to sustain itself for the entire year. If the ASUC can make the necessary improvements that will allow the lodge to be a successful summer spot, the lodge should become more profitable.
As part of any renovations, the ASUC should also be proactive about protecting the lodge against damage it might incur as a result of weather and old age. Rather than waiting until problems are severe, ASUC officials must invest in improvements that will prevent them from facing steeper costs later on. Keeping the lodge in proper condition should also further the goal of making it a desirable location for students to use.
Some efforts have been made to market the lodge in the past — and, according to Borge, the lodge does pretty well during the winter — but repositioning the lodge as a summer location will require a renewed emphasis on outreach to student groups and others who might be interested in using Cal Lodge.
The ASUC should be acutely aware that Cal Lodge cannot continue to operate in the way it has over the last few years. Clearly, something needs to change, but getting the lodge back on its feet will probably be an expensive venture for the ASUC. Still, the student government should not shy away from spending the necessary money — Cal Lodge has so much potential, if only the ASUC invests in its future.