Fortuna River Lodge Future in Focus: Council Votes for Investment Plan

The Fortuna City Council convened a special meeting on September 2nd, 2025, to address the financial performance and future of the Fortuna River Lodge, a community center vital to the city. The approximately 35-minute hybrid meeting, attended by several council members and members of the public, centered on a presentation detailing the Lodge's financial history, usage, and potential future scenarios.

The presentation highlighted the Lodge's financial performance over the past five years. Three options were presented to the council: maintaining the status quo, investing in facility upgrades and marketing, or leasing the facility to a third party. Public comment provided valuable insight into the community's perspective on the Lodge's importance.

Connie DeCoudres, president of the Civil Grand Jurors Association of Humboldt County and whose daughter is the event coordinator at the River Lodge, emphasized the facility's success in hosting events and its positive community impact. She advocated for statewide marketing to attract more conferences and increase revenue. Sandy Dale, an employee of Fortuna High School and the Department of Education, expressed concern about potential negative impacts on the community if the Lodge were leased to a third party, stressing the need to maintain its current service standards and suggesting further marketing.

An unidentified council member also voiced concern about the Lodge's financial sustainability, suggesting that city investment was crucial to its continued success as a community asset. These public comments, alongside the financial review, clearly demonstrated the community's strong feelings about preserving this vital community asset.

Following the discussion, the council unanimously approved items B and C (minutes of the August 18th meeting and reported disbursements), with one council member abstaining. Crucially, the council approved a motion to direct staff to develop an enhanced investment plan for the River Lodge, incorporating physical upgrades and a comprehensive marketing strategy. This plan will be presented at a future meeting.

Additionally, the council authorized the City Manager to award the River Lodge exterior staining project to Hommanocca Painting Company, with a budget not exceeding \$158,000. The meeting also touched upon the potential impact of legalizing cannabis businesses in Fortuna and the implications for the citys budget. A future study session is planned to delve deeper into this topic.

The next steps include staff developing and presenting the enhanced investment plan for the River Lodge, and a scheduled study session on cannabis policy. For more information on the Fortuna City Council agendas and minutes, visit [https://www.friendlyfortuna.com/agendas_and_minutes/agenda_packets_and_minutes/index.php](https://www.friendlyfortuna.com/agendas_and_minutes/agenda_packets_and_minutes/index.php). Citizens are encouraged to attend future meetings to engage in these important discussions and stay informed about their local government.