The winds of change are whipping through Roaring River State Park, as a new concessionaire has been awarded the state’s contract.

Roaring River Adventures LLC, a division of ExplorUS, a hospitality management company operating in parks across the country, will manage the lodging, dining, retail and meeting facilities at Roaring River State Park beginning this year.

Located in the southwest Ozark hills, Roaring River State Park is one of Missouri’s most popular state parks and one of three state parks stocked with rainbow trout. It offers visitors lodging accommodations ranging from rustic cabins to modern motel rooms. The impressive Emory Melton Inn features 26 hotel rooms, meeting space and a full-service restaurant. The park also features 26 rustic cabins, including duplex and fourplex units, and seven rooms in the Civilian Conservation Corps Lodge.

“We’d like to thank Jim and Carmen Rogers and family for their many years of service taking care of visitors at Roaring River State Park,” said David Kelly, director of Missouri State Parks. “We look forward to working with ExplorUs and seeing new opportunities they will offer our guests.”

Tisha Holden, division information officer with Missouri State Parks, said the bid window was from July 14 to Aug. 24, and it was extended to Aug. 31 after an addendum. Two bids were received.

According to state policy, bids that meet requirements are judged by objective and subjective analysis in accordance with evaluation criteria.

A 100-point scoring system includes evaluation of return to the department, 30 points; vendor’s experience, expertise and reliability, 35 points; and method of performance, 35 points.

‘The evaluation team and buyer of record evaluated both bid responses and awarded 84 cumulative points to the awarded bid proposal and 70 points for the other bid proposal,’ Holden said.

ExplorUS will work with Missouri State Parks for planned improvements to the concessions, including enhancing the Park Store, updating the restaurant menu, and adding new activities and events.

“ExplorUS is committed to preserving the park’s long-standing traditions, especially those related to fishing, while enhancing services for families that have been visiting for generations,” said Frank Pikus, CEO of ExplorUS.

ExplorUS, which is headquartered outside Kansas City, will draw on its experience providing hospitality services at another Missouri trout park, Montauk State Park. The company also manages concessions at other parks in the Show-Me State. ExplorUS’ portfolio includes a total of nearly 70 sites in 17 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Rooms and cabins at Roaring River are available for rent online or by calling the park. More information can be found at https://roaringriverstatepark. org/ or by calling 417-847-2330. You can also find them on Facebook: https:// www.facebook.com/roaringriveradventures and Instagram https://www. instagram.com/roaringriveradventures.

For more information on state parks and historic sites, visit mostateparks. com. Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.

For more information about ExplorUS, people may visit goExplorUS. com.