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Utah Anglers Volunteer Time and Money to Upgrade Willard Bay Facilities
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 On the chilly, windy weekend of April 21 and 22, 2001, a group of dedicated anglers assembled at the South Marina at Willard Bay to do some sorely deeded maintenance on park facilities. The Utah Federation of Bass Anglers Sportsmen’s Society (B.A.S.S.) funded the effort. Utah B.A.S.S. Federation members worked side-by-side with members of Rocky Mountain Anglers (RMA), a Wasatch Front walleye club, and several other interested anglers.
George Sommer, President of the Utah B.A.S.S. Federation, spearheaded the effort. His organization bought all the paint, building materials, brushes and other supplies. No costs were borne by the Utah State Parks System.
The South Marina area, historically a prime use area for B.A.S.S. and RMA members and other anglers who fish Willard Bay, was scheduled to be closed to overnight use beginning this year. After negotiations to keep it open that lasted several years, RMA member Jim Morkin learned the State Parks budget could not finance a fix-up of the neglected facilities. When Sommer learned of the need, he made arrangements for materials and put out a call for helpers. Some 20 individuals worked on the project.
The public picnic shelters and tables in the campground area were scraped, cleaned and painted, but the pavilion near the boat ramp received special attention. The floor in the pavilion had deteriorated to where it was unsafe, so it was reinforced with new decking. All the open roof beams were wire brushed, scraped and painted and the outer walls were “esthetically renewed.” The anglers’ sense of ownership in the facility was evident from their enthusiasm and the care they put into their work.
B.A.S.S. and Jim and Jerry Morkin bought lunch for the workers both days and Jerry Morkin supervised a heck of a good feed for the hungry bunch.
The pavilion and about 75 percent of the facilities in the area were finished during the weekend. Volunteers should have the remaining shelters finished by the end of May.
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