GPI to ask for second look at bid
<p>Mike Bridgewater, of Indianapolis, Ind., relaxes on a bench on the lawn at Lake McDonald Lodge last week.</p>
Glacier Park Inc. is “disappointed” it didn’t win the major Glacier National Park concessions contract, Ron Cadrette, GPI vice president and general manager, said last week. GPI operated the main concessions contract in the Park for the past 32 years.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to work with the National Park Service,” he said. “We congratulate Xanterra on winning the bid.”
The company has decided to ask the National Park Service for a post-bid review, Cadrette said. A post-bid review is a written critique and not an opportunity for re-negotiation, according to the National Park Service.
After the review, GPI “may or may not” take additional steps, Cadrette said. The contract is also subject to a 60-day review by the U.S. House and Senate.
Review aside, Cadrette said GPI’s business will go on and the company will look to expand even further. GPI still operates the Prince of Wales Hotel in Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park and owns St. Mary Lodge and Resort in St. Mary, Grouse Mountain Lodge in Whitefish and Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier.
“We’ll be focusing on continuing those operations,” he said.
If the post-bid review doesn’t pan out for them, GPI will have cash in hand to acquire new properties. Under the new contract, Xanterra is required to pay GPI $22 million for its possessory interest in Glacier Park properties.
Cadrette said GPI will continue to remain in acquisition mode. GPI bought Grouse Mountain Lodge and the St. Mary Lodge in 2011 as it positioned itself to control or own most of the major lodges in and around Glacier Park. The Xanterra award put a wrinkle in Glacier Park Inc.’s plan.
GPI will continue to take reservations for the Glacier Park facilities through the end of the year and then hand over the reservations to Xanterra, Cadrette said. The two companies also will meet in the coming weeks to go over transition plans.
Xanterra will need to find outside support facilities for the Park concessions. The red bus fleet, for example, is serviced in garages GPI owns in East Glacier. Warehouses and laundry facilities for the Park concession are also on GPI property in East Glacier.