USFS holds grand opening of the new Round Hill Pines Beach Resort

The U.S. Forest Service held a grand opening ceremony at the newly remodeled and reconfigured Round Hill Pines Resort on Monday, officially welcoming the public to their new beachside facilities.

Bob Hassett, a local businessman who also operates Camp Richardson, Meeks Bay Resort and owns Action Watersports, was selected to run the concession at Round Hill Pines Resort in November 2013. Since then, he, his wife Tammy, and his team have worked to create a 3,000 square foot facility overlooking the lake with outdoor seating, a full kitchen, two bars, ADA accessibility to the dock and beach, beach rentals, a new pier, 80-space paved parking area and wedding facilities.

On Monday, July 30, the ribbon was officially cut in front of a group of business owners, the Tahoe Chamber, Lake Tahoe Visitor's Authority, Tahoe Douglas Fire, family and friends. Nevada Senator Dean Heller sent his representative Michael Lienhart to celebrate with a message from the Senator who was in Washington.

In 2015 when the Lake Tahoe Summit was held at Round Hill pines, Hassett showed Heller his plans for the resort, something Lienhart said the Senator was excited about.

Once those plans were finalized and approved, the old Round Hill Pines Resort was leveled and construction began nine months ago.

"It took everyone together, dozens and dozens of people, to make this happen," said Hassett. "It truly is a collaboration here."

Marsolais highlighted the fact that the LTBMU had been envisioning something new at Round Hill Pines eight years ago, then along came Hassett.

"Bob and his team have done nothing but incredible work," he said. "A facility like this could never be done alone."

With an increase of visitors to the Lake Tahoe Basin and continued transportation issues, USFS and the LTBMU can't meet the needs of the public alone, according to Marsolais.

"This project is a true public-private partnership," said Marsolais. "This power of partnerships accomplishes much more."

Hassett began his partnership with USFS in 1992 with a snowmobile concession on USFS land. That was just a few years after his wrote a business plan at Sacramento State about starting a jet ski rental business at Timber Cove Marina, something he did with six jet skis.

Besides the building with a snack bar, the Beach Grill, a bar and new restrooms, Hassett has brought in a new boat (the Serenity) for Emerald Bay cruises, dinner and special events, a new stop for the water taxi, beach chair and umbrella rentals, picnic tents, beach side waiter service, a new bar on the beach, as well as marine rentals.

Gone are the old swimming pool and tennis courts, allowing for an 80-space parking lot with plans for more, as well as dirt parking.

Per the Granger-Thye Fee Offset Agreement, the federal government owns all the improvements at the developed recreation sites like Round Hills Pines Beach Resort, but it also directs all money paid by the concessionaire in fees to go back into the facility. This makes the project sustainable and allows for both infrastructure and environmental improvements.

Round Hill Pines Resort opened for the first time in 1951, and their amenities included a beach terrace, heated pool, professional tennis court, badminton, tether ball, volleyball, fishing in Bourne Lake, a driving range, a private beach and dock, and a boat slip rental. Motel units were constructed in 1956. By the summer of 1963 the resort had increased to 30 units, including housekeeping cottages. Sewer improvements forced it to close in 1969. In 1984, USFS purchased the property and the day use facilities were all that have been used since, but that could change.

"These are your public lands, don't you forget that," said Jeff Marsolais, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU) Forest Supervisor during opening comments of the grand opening."

Next on the construction schedule at the resort will be a new entrance and improvements on Highway 50 that will make entering and exiting the resort safer. Though not specified, LTBMU staff said the improvements could include a center turn lanes. Improvements at the entrance are expected to be completed by 2020.

After that, plans for the historic cabins will be developed and could include yurts, camping and cabin use.

Parking is $10 a day, or an annual pass can be purchased for $95. Chariot makes daily runs from Stateline/Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel to Round Hill Pines Beach Resort for $3. For people walking in there are golf carts available to transport them up and down the hill.