buying campground
I am looking to buy a campground that has closed. Having a hard time finding them. Any suggestions?
Forum Discussion
Recently, I saw a closed ex-KOA park in my neck of the woods. Upon inspection, I noticed that the work required to bring it back to acceptable standards was not worth it:
1: All sewage, electrical, and water would have to be brought up to code. This is not cheap, and more expensive than just trenching the lines on pristine ground.
2: The park closed before Wi-Fi was mainstream. A decent Wi-fi setup costs in the five digit range, minimum, for antennas, routers, switches, firewalls, security appliances, and access points. I'd probably also have to trench and add wired Ethernet connections for long term residents.
3: I'd have to do a lot of restoration to make the pool safe, clean, and operable, the former "Kabins" something inhabitable by people other than squatters and meth-heads, the bath-house up to par, and the main office a nice place for people to work at.
4: I'd have to recertify the above ground propane tank and make sure it complies with the new Texas laws. Then, get all employees DOT certified to operate the pump.
5: I'd have to have a 24 hour store with at least one, if not two clerks.
6: I'd have to build additional facilities, like a restaurant, laundromat, meeting hall, computer room, and other core things expected.
7: I'd have to find some employees.
8: I'd have to put money into security, be it a 24/7 patrol, fences, and other items. If the neighborhood/area has security issues, I'd have to spend money on entrance/exit gates, and CCTV cameras.
The total cost to get this improved to a place that is camp worthy would be over 2-3 million bucks. For that price, I could get with KOA, buy some unimproved land, pay them that much cash, and have a pristine, new campground with a brand name.
1: All sewage, electrical, and water would have to be brought up to code. This is not cheap, and more expensive than just trenching the lines on pristine ground.
2: The park closed before Wi-Fi was mainstream. A decent Wi-fi setup costs in the five digit range, minimum, for antennas, routers, switches, firewalls, security appliances, and access points. I'd probably also have to trench and add wired Ethernet connections for long term residents.
3: I'd have to do a lot of restoration to make the pool safe, clean, and operable, the former "Kabins" something inhabitable by people other than squatters and meth-heads, the bath-house up to par, and the main office a nice place for people to work at.
4: I'd have to recertify the above ground propane tank and make sure it complies with the new Texas laws. Then, get all employees DOT certified to operate the pump.
5: I'd have to have a 24 hour store with at least one, if not two clerks.
6: I'd have to build additional facilities, like a restaurant, laundromat, meeting hall, computer room, and other core things expected.
7: I'd have to find some employees.
8: I'd have to put money into security, be it a 24/7 patrol, fences, and other items. If the neighborhood/area has security issues, I'd have to spend money on entrance/exit gates, and CCTV cameras.
The total cost to get this improved to a place that is camp worthy would be over 2-3 million bucks. For that price, I could get with KOA, buy some unimproved land, pay them that much cash, and have a pristine, new campground with a brand name.
