Eric Weinkoetz named new General Manager
Eric Weinkoetz, presently City Administrator in Eldora, Iowa, has accepted an offer to become the next General Manager of the Lake Panorama Association. As Eldora City Administrator since 2000, Eric has prepared a Six Million Dollar budget, overseen over 100 full and part time employees, and administered many of the same kinds of services that the LPA provides. He received his Masters in Public Administration from Drake University.
       Eric will begin his duties at the Lake on May 2.
       

Dredge In Burchfield Cove
The HORIZON dredge is working in Burchfield Cove. Boaters are reminded that the dredge pipe is present and is marked by buoys. Please avoid the area.

Buoys Mean Business
Hazards, speed limits, shallow areas, center lines.
       All of these are noted on the buoys in the Lake. Boating rules include abiding by the buoy markers. Hazard buoys often mark an individual hazard or hazard area and paying attention to them may save you money in repairs.

Upper Basin will be open for speed boats this year
The LPA Board has officially opened the upper basin to speed boating this year. The area will have the same boating rules as the rest of the lake. A water ski course will be located in the southeast corner of the basin. The upper basin consists of the area between the upper end of the narrows and buoys for the debris containment boom.

Improvements for Conference Center
The Lake Panorama Association Board of Directors has approved the basic improvements for the Conference Center for 2005.
       The east parking lot for the conference center restaurant and banquet room will be paved. The exterior of the building will be painted. Previously, the Lake Panorama National, LLC, the operating organization has completed painting the main floor interior and replaced the banquet tables and carpeting in the banquet room. Two sets of new glass entrance doors and improvements to the fire safety for the building are also to be completed by the LLC.

Emergency Policy Regarding Lake Closure to Boating
In 2004, after the May flood and debris event, the LPA board authorized the closure of all or parts of the lake to recreational boating when floating debris is considerable.
       
       The intent of the policy is twofold. Safety to people and equipment is top priority. Some boaters are not aware of the safety hazards from floating debris, both to people and to boats. Secondly, wave action by boaters made debris collection more difficult, made the process take longer, and prolonged the time debris was present as a hazard. Announcements online, on local cable TV, the marina, and at major entrances to the development will be done if this becomes necessary. Hopefully NOT!