Joneses open park year-round

SOAP LAKE - The new owners of a Soap Lake recreational vehicle resort are looking for lots of "happy campers."

"That's one of our goals," said Ron Jones. "Have a good experience, we want them to come back, tell their friends."

Ron and Alison Jones, of Moses Lake and longtime residents of Grant County, purchased the Soap Lake RV Resort, located at 22818 State Route 17 N., in March.

"It was just something different," Ron said. "I'm an electrical contractor in Ephrata and Moses Lake, currently."

They had never owned a resort before, nor had they ever stayed at the resort in Soap Lake before purchasing it. But there are many reasons the couple decided to take over the resort, Ron said.

"It was an opportunity for us to come in and do something a little different," he said. "We thought it would be another challenge for us to actually be able to use some of our talents to create an atmosphere for families, and have fun doing it."

The Joneses have been married for 13 years and have three children, ages 18, 10 and 5.

"It's open to the public now," Alison said.

"We're not affiliated with any private organization," Ron explained. "And it just gives more people in the community an opportunity to come out and enjoy the amenities the park has to offer."

The amenities include a pool, hot tub, sauna and wireless Internet.

Response has been positive since taking over, Ron said, with more than 500 people during Memorial Day weekend and a large turnout expected come July 4.

"I'd like to see it be a family-oriented park, get a lot of repeat customers and be open year-round," he said. "Eventually maybe turn it into a profitable park."

The park is now open year-round.

The park has 136 spaces, five park models and one cottage, he added.

The business employs eight people, with the hope of that number going up.

Ron said he is enjoying getting to meet people from all over the country.

"We've had people from as far as Florida," Alison said. "Our vision is creating a park that's family-oriented, a resort even for the local people who don't have to go that far. And it's something new because it has been limited to only memberships. It's actually new to the local people that have been driving by it all the time. This is a unique spot that when you come out here, it's like you're not a part of that, even though you're so close. You actually feel like you're on vacation. That's something we'd like local people to come and experience."

"Gas prices are rising, people still like to camp," Ron echoed. "It's a nice park. We don't have a lot of partying going on. You can bring your kids. It's a safe place for families."

For more information, call 509-246-0413.