Concession firm still has plenty of accommodations

After losing its Glacier National Park contract, Glacier Park Inc. has asked the National Park Service for a post-bid review.

Ron Cadrette, vice president and general manager for Glacier Park Inc., said that after the review the firm “may or may not” take additional steps.

A post-bid review is a written critique and not an opportunity for renegotiation, according to the National Park Service.

The Park Service announced last week that it had awarded a 16-year contract to Xanterra Parks & Resorts starting in 2014 to provide lodging, retail, transportation and food and drink services inside Glacier Park.

Glacier Park Inc. has 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,” Cadrette said. “We congratulate Xanterra on winning the bid.”

Review aside, Cadrette said business for Glacier Park Inc. will go on and the company will look to expand even further.

The firm 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.

The Canadian government recently awarded the company a 42-year contract to manage visitor services at Waterton Lakes National Park.

“We’ll be focusing on continuing those operations,” Cadrette said. “More than 60 percent of our business exists outside of the park. We are positioned to look for opportunities in those areas.”  

Under the new contract, Xanterra is required to pay Glacier Park Inc. $22 million for its possessory interest in Glacier Park properties.

Xanterra will take over management of Lake McDonald Lodge, Apgar Village Inn, Rising Sun Motor Inn, Swiftcurrent Inn and Many Glacier Hotel, as well as the Two Medicine Camp Store, public showers and laundry facilities and the red bus tours.

Glacier Park Inc. 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 Glacier concessions. The red bus fleet, for example, is serviced in garages Glacier Park Inc. owns in East Glacier. Warehouses and laundry facilities for the park concession are also on Glacier Park Inc. property in East Glacier.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.