Silver Falls State Park is currently offering a rare opportunity, the chance for two lucky applicants to become the new concessionaires of the Silver Falls Conference Center and the South Falls Lodge Café.
“We’re hoping to support the interest of visitors and also support the interest of a local business,” Silver Falls State Park Manager Guy Rodrigue said of the openings.
Initially built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s as the Smith Creek Youth Camp, the grounds were converted to a conference center in 1975.
“They revamped the kitchen and built four new lodges,” Rodrigue said of the initial improvements, which – along with the 13 original cabins and numerous other historic buildings – have provided unique lodging and event space for thousands of visitors and numerous weddings each year.
Managed by the same concessionaire for the majority of the past 45 years, the Conference Center, along with two ranches – each offering overnight space and commercial kitchens – have played a stable role in the visitor experience the State Park offers its guests.
Similarly, the Silver Falls Lodge Café – located within the historic South Falls Lodge – has served many of the 1.3 million day-use visitors passing through the park each year.
Previously the responsibility of a single concessionaire, the opportunity will now be divided into two. One entity will take over lodging and events booked at the Conference Center and ranches while the other will handle food service at the Silver Falls Café.
“It will allow businesses more of an opportunity to put in for one or another,” Rodrigue said of the decision to create two specialized roles.
Opening to applicants on March 1 via www.silverfallslodge.com, the selected concessionaires will be awarded a two-year contract that could start as early as summer 2021.
Silver Falls State Park seeks event, food service providers
• Silver Falls Conference Center Concessionaire – Lodging and events
• Silver Falls Lodge Café Concessionaire – Food service
Applications open March 1
www.silverfallslodge.com
