FLL: Time for some Beer...and maybe some Cheezits...or something... No Geese..and certainly....NO CHICKENS. :D :D NB

Perhaps Laconia can hire the local PD to assign an officer to each trash can at $59.00/HR and hand out ticket for "Illegal Dumping"....

I have a very simple solution to the Weirs. They should allow overnight docking (with strict restrictions and limitations to prevent people from using it as a marina) for a fee. They'd be the only town that allows it and the novelty would attract boaters and they would spend money (especially on drinking (which is high profit) since they would not need to operate the boat afterward). Restaurants and bars would thrive. The town could use the fees collected to improve the area.

Regarding limitations and restrictions, I would propose the following: "Overnight" means 6PM to 11AM. After 11, you gotta leave. Boats would be limited to one night stay per 10 day period. The person in charge of collecting fees would also decide what boats go where in order to make good use of the inner spots in the narrow dock spacing.

Another way to put the issue into perspective:

Assume a raging fire destroys the Weirs: gone, up in smoke, everything.

The owners, at least the insured ones, get paid off and made whole, and may not care to rebuild.

Assume an opportunistic developer comes along: what might be the highest, best, most profitable use for that area, rising Phoenix-like from the ashes?

What sort of new attraction will pack em in and keep em coming in this, the new millennium?

Honestly Dave, I don't see how that would help the current situation. Let's just say for example 20 boats stayed overnight how much would 20 couples actually add to the economy of the Weirs?? The town would probably spend more money policing the boats for time limit violations than what they would bring in....

The Weirs needs drastic change to attract hundreds or even thousands of people. I don't pretend to have the answer but don't think overnight docking is one of them.

Dan

There needs to be a general plan. Do you want to attract families with young kids? Teens? College age? It isn't a huge amount of space to develop something that will attract all of the age groups so it would take careful planning and development to pull it off. Plus a ton of money.

I like the way you think !
Lightning this time of year is hard to prove on insurance ,

The idea is not to completely renew the area on just the money brought in by transient slip renters, the idea is to give people a reason to go there; just a little spark to get things going. Once people start going there and spending money, businesses expand which attracts more people (many by car) and more businesses and so forth.

Right now the town gets $0 for the docks and they sit completely void of boats all night, every night. If you pay a couple of college kids 12 bucks an hour to be the "Harbor Master" from 8 AM to noon, then 6 PM to 10 PM you are only spending 96 bucks a day + SS tax and such and you could make that up with one 35 foot boat at 3 bucks a foot (typical weekend rate for a transient slip). During slow periods, you could even do a pay and display system and eliminate the Harbor Master job.

Regardless, my idea makes use of a resource that already exists and is under-utilized with almost no investment. Any revenue from it would be a plus and any extra customers for local businesses are a plus. If it does not work out, there's no meaningful investment wasted. Who knows, maybe the other ports around the lake would follow suit and OUIs could go way down. Imagine if Dan Littlefield could have slept in his boat in Meredith that night...

Wanted to add one more thing...

The close spacing of the Weirs beach docks is generally a problem, but if you have a person there to manage docking, the close spacing is an asset as it packs the most boats in per square foot of surface area. You could even use the very under-utlilized boardwalk side of the main dock for shallow draft boats. If it makes fiscal sense, they could even dredge that area out to let bigger boats back there.

Yes vote for overnight
 

I have at least three other places to stay overnight on my boat, but I would pay the suggested $3/ft once in awhile just for the nostalgia; maybe a sleep over adventure for the grandchildren. We used to stay overnight all over the lake, and the towns welcomed it because 1) we spent a little money and 2) cabin cruisers were an attraction for tourists to look at. Wolfeboro even had a "cruisers only" dock with water and electricity connections. Then people started staying all weekend as if it were a campground and partying 'til the wee hours, and instead of learning to control it, the towns all just banned overnight docking. (Part of the early problem was, in those days, no holding tanks or pump out stations, and the Weirs locked the public restrooms at night).

However, for $3.00 per foot, I'd like a dock master and electricity so I don't have to run, or listen to someone else running, a generator all night.

No, this won't provide enough $$ to support anything by itself, but it would add to the overall market appeal.

Year round destination...
 

A big hotel with a builtin year round draw like a Great Wolf lodge (with its big indoor waterpark), add some exposition space for trade shows and the like for shoulder seasons. Add a bit of nice shops, food places, + some fun touristy spots. Hotel could run ski shuttles & ski and stay packages, stay and ride packages for snow machines, stay and fish, stay and ice fish, stay and boat, etc. Wedding specials. Tie in with the mount? Tie in with marinas? Is there enough good golf nearby to add that? Heck maybe build/refurb a destination golf course/xcountry ski area nearby. Gonna hafta drop the whole bike week thing? I think i would be worth it. Make a developer pay to move the veterans nearby into brand new digs. If only I had a few dozen million laying around :laugh:

There is a particular problem on the Fourth of July. A large, no make that VERY LARGE, group most from the Lawrence Mass. area inundates the beach every year on that day. The vehicle traffic starts at 6 AM and the beach fills up fast. Area businesses have had problems with some of the group. It is no surprise that they do not pick up after themselves.

The subject has been covered before but it is a difficult problem to solve and remain politically correct.

Weirs Bech
 

The issue with Weirs Beach on July 4th has now carried over to most weekends in July and August. Regretfully, my family and I avoid that area on weekends now. What I see left behind is a sign of the times; disrespect for the area and others who may also like to enjoy the beach. It looks like a campground - charcoal grills left for trash, hammocks and bedding strung from tree to tree, people sleeping in tents, loud music from the cars that are parked in the lot, pots, pans, garbage, and more. this all gets left behind. It is chaos, and unsafe to walk through there at times.
The owners of the Winnepesaukee Pier have let the building and the mini golf course area become run down. And now, from what I have heard, there won't even be an operating gas dock.
This thread could probably go on for years to come, and nothing will have changed. We are saddened by it, but still try to visit the area for walk on the boardwalk, an ice cream, or a ride on the Mount ( though pricey for the family).
It has so much potential.

This video I shot on July 4th weekend in 2011 gives a good view of the activity at Weirs Beach:

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ult1fMP-TU8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

great video
it is not like that now that is for sure

All this talk
 

Nothing will change until the town comes up with a "Plan" I wonder if they care or if they are even capable of creating such a thing!!

There is a plan. Here is a summary graphic.

http://www.cityoflaconianh.org/uploa...n%20Poster.pdf

R2B

All this talk
 

R2B. Thank you for the info, very interesting! I wish to apologize if I have offended anyone, but I think that you understand my point.

Interesting graphic R2B. I think a boat launch there will be problematic with the current. Doable, just not for everyone.

Well, once you get by the current issue, and deal with the heavy boat traffic and boat wakes on weekends while you are trying to launch a boat, there is also the issue of major boulders just under the surface in that area. You might have to call in the top secret "move a rock club" to clear the area.

Or, one could wonder how the city or state will obtain ownership of all that private property for a boat launch and the associated public parking.

Or, you could consider that the area that the plan shows as developed, to the left of the Channel, from the point down to the mini-golf area at the bridge were once planned to be an 80 room hotel. That was a great plan and it would have been a tremendous boon to the Weirs area until the Indian arrowheads were found on that land and the project was terminated.

See, it's just not that easy!

I had a place on Lucerne Ave. with a nice dock. Getting to the dock from the lake was a huge challenge whenever there was heavy boat traffic exiting the channel since they were the stand on vessel and I was the vessel that had to yield. I agree, a boat ramp there would be a mess and yes there are major boulders in that area.

I never said they had a good plan. I just pointed out there was a plan. They resolved the issue with "malfunction junction" so that was a plus and it was part of the plan. My opinion is the area needs a significant hotel to start any real step forward. I see it is part of the plan, but I do not see any funding to entice a major hotel into the Weirs. So, I am not confident the plan is realistic. Looks more like a concept than a solid plan.

I am very impressed with Faro, something done with private funding, so there is some hope.

We sold our place on Lucerne Ave. I got tired of waiting for any real improvement. We really miss the lake and we now visit by taking a room or suite at either Naswa or Church Landing. This is not anywhere as good as owning, but we still get our time at the lake.

R2B

Regular Drive Throughs...
 

Before I even saw this thread (haven't been on in a while) I was saying this just the other day. As we drive through it seems like more and more of the surrounding area seems to being turned into parking/vending area. it really looks kind of desolate (at least during non bike week). Is it possible that the biggest event of the year is part of the problem for attracting folks the rest fo the time? Not sure.

Awesome!
 

Very interesting plan. What's the age on it? Is it still moving forward? I'm personally excited for the possible performance space. Hope to hear something about it.

The date on the plan is 2007 so it was done 9 years ago and not much has happened since.

Think you have a good understanding of the problem . Bike week is no longer an asset to the area . Every summer now starts with this worn out , honky tonk event that sets the wrong tone for the rest of the season and gives none of the business owners any reason to spruce up before this carnival comes to town.

Bike week i s a huge asset to the entire state. Laconia is no longer the focus of bike week. That was caused by an overbearing police presence and worn out vendors. Once riders realized they could have a great time in Conway, Meredith, and the Mt Washington valley, they use tbe Weirs as a one day destination.

Very true. I have an upscale rental condo in the North Conway area and it has rented out during bike week for the past 5 years to bikers. Never had a problem that week at all, they leave the place cleaner than they found it.

Bike week makes or breaks the summer for most business in the Weirs area. It's an unfortunate fact. The revenue from those 10 days sets the tone for the rest of the season.
The rally has huge problems but they are making an effort this year to try and turn things around. Laconiafest is a good first step toward that.

Downings landing
 

All that is keeping that garbage out of the lake is that little orange fence ??? No e.p.a in alton. Try that at your water front.

I am not sure how you could claim it "sets the wrong tone for the rest of the season". Most Bike Week visitors are not the boaters and vacationing families that dominate the rest of the tourist season and it has no affect on them at all.

Without Bike Week, and the revenue it generates, many business owners would not have the revenue to "spruce up" at all. The amount of income for the businesses and the entire state is a tremendous boost for the state and local economy. Most Laconia area business owners are not making a killing, and many are just barely making a living. I think you would be surprised to find out how many area restaurants have to use their credit lines every winter to survive with the hope that the tourist season will generate enough revenue to pay it off. Taking one more opportunity to make money away from area businesses would be a very poor move.

Yes, there are large areas of the Weirs that could be improved or developed but once again it comes back to the substantial investment needed with the hope that the 10 week season will make it a financial success. I don't see many people willing to take that risk.

As others have said, the over policing and many other factors have led to the decline in Bike Week attendance in the greater Laconia area.

Tilton there has to be a better way. Just look at the other towns around the lake. While the businesses in these towns derive some incremental benefit from bike week they certainly aren't beholden to the event. Laconia and the Weirs specifically is positioned as the least desirable town on the lake. Yet the Weirs has arguably the most open waterfront and potential. In these times of booming real estate values I find it inconceivable that this area can't be better positioned for success. Bike week in my opinion is one of the factors that keeps the area teathered to failure.

From what I understand, bike week back in the 70's and 80's was a LOT less family friendly. Please correct me if I am wrong.
But, I have also been told this was part of the "HayDay" and did far better then than it did now.

Could it be that by making it more family friendly, it is getting slower? Arguably the main stream view of motorcyclist these days ( gangs then vs everyone now) is making biking in general more of a family friendly activity. If a young adult rode a bike "back in the day", he could be labeled a rebel and that lifestyle matched that bike week was like. Today, bikes are for everyone.

Again, if I am wrong about the history, please correct me. But this would appear to be a possible connection to the decline?

"back in the day" it was just Motorcycle Weekend. The original draw was the races at Loudon and the Weirs was just the place to gather and hang out. I don't recall more than maybe one bar back then so drinking would have been byob. It was mostly parking and chatting and driving up and down and of course a few times there were brawls, riots and some cars turned over.

The Weirs back then was all about kids since the arcades were the only thing to do there. That one weekend all the families were pretty much afraid to go there.

Even now the bikers gather there but there is really nothing for them to do except hang out and patronize the vendors that pop up for the event and maybe buy a tee shirt.

For many years, after the riot in 1965, Bike Week went back to being a weekend event. In the early 90's it once again expanded to 9 days as it is now.

The changes in Motorcycle Week and the laws regulating it have curtailed a lot of activities that drew the massive crowds. Over policing has also made Laconia a place that many motorcyclists avoid and instead they head to other parts of the state.

The crowds and traffic today are about 25% of what they were 15 to 20 years ago. In the past couple of years there has been almost no traffic back up in the area of the Weirs rotary during the entire 9 days of Bike Week.

It seems to be a dying event and without some changes it would be surprising to see it still exist in 5 years. Maybe the new concert schedule will breathe some life into it but that remains to be seen.

There are people with opinions on both sides of the issue so depending upon your perspective and your feelings about Bike Week this could be viewed as good or bad.

The core problem is that Laconia, like any city, is a business. The city is in the business of generating tax revenue, providing places for people to live, maintaining infrastructure, providing an attractive business environment, etc.

Anyone who has any amount of business knowledge will tell you that it's a very bad strategy to overly rely on a single "mega" customer.

Bike Week is Laconia's giant customer. The entire city is overly reliant on that one customer. It's a bad spot to be in for multiple reasons.

Bike Week doesn't need to go away or be majorly changed, but people need to recognize that until the city has a viable plan to not be solely reliant on Bike Week it will never evolve.

Every year that Laconia doesn't develop a strategy to break its Bike Week addiction makes it that much harder to stabilize itself for the future.

Let me begin by Saying my statements have nothing to do with the topic of this post...just some comments on how "bike week" was enjoyed by myself and thousands of other bikers.
Back "in the day" we didn't even call it "bike week" it was simply "Laconia"
Laconia to me was hundreds of bike clubs and independents camping out along Rt 106 and spending the week having fun and generally observing the parade of bikers and other "hell raisers" constantly, moving back and fourth on 106.
The Wiers was a destination for a ride from 106 and you rode back to your roadside encampment for more fun. Police were mostly non-existent out there and mostly "anything went" from nudity to bonfires to grenade simulators to booby flashing. All good fun for anyone who spent the week along 106.
My experiences took place during the 70's and I can't account for what took place after that time because life was changing for me what with raising a family, etc.
After they banned roadside camping Laconia motorcycle week became, over time, the tame event that is is today. Personally, I'm glad I was able to experience the old "Laconia" and the memories of that era will be with me and others forever.
I apologize for this post not offering any constructive comments that are on topic but I felt compelled to shed some light on how it was "back in the day" to those who didn't have the opportunity to experience it as we did.

I see it completely differently.....

Laconia does not rely on Bike Week.... Downtown Laconia is doing pretty good. They have the Pumpkin Fest, the Colonial Theater is being restored and there are lots of shops, cafes & businesses that are doing very well. The only people who rely on Bike Week for an influx of $$ are resorts & businesses in the Weirs.

Some of the businesses in the Weirs take pride in their buildings, and take very good care of how their property looks. Other businesses not so much. The reality is, there needs to be a plan, sense of direction. The motels that are left will die off.... people NEED a reason to visit. The old kid friendly stuff is not working. A more adult oriented approach is needed. The Weirs has some awesome real estate... it just needs a vision and transformation...

1. Start with Bike Week... embrace it! Loosen the rules a little. Make it so the bikers want to come back and stay awhile! That demographic has grown older and has $$ to spend.

2. Get rid of the silly parking meters.... nobody wants to pay to park!

3. Reconfigure the boat docks to accommodate more boats... perhaps a P/T dockmaster so that 1 large cruiser cannot block off the whole dock.

4. Transform the arcades into something more adult.... cafes? shops? something that make people want to stay awhile.

5. Change the noise ordinance to allow live music until 12:00 - 12:30 on weekends.

6. Allow alcohol to be consumed outside in plastic containers...

7. Weekend boardwalk vendors (like the Hotdog guy in Wolfeboro)

Just a few ideas...

Woodsy

I could not disagree more.

Laconia is "solely reliant on Bike Week"? For what? It is a basically revenue neutral event that takes 9 days before the busy part of the summer starts. Laconia does not rely on it for anything. It happens every year and then it goes away until next year. In the total scope of things happening in the City of Laconia it is almost insignificant. And as each year passes and attendance and traffic decline, it becomes less significant.

"Every year that Laconia doesn't develop a strategy to break its Bike Week addiction makes it that much harder to stabilize itself for the future."

Stabilize itself for what? "Bike Week addiction"?

The city is in good shape financially and continues to make infrastructure improvements. A recent example would be the new Laconia fire station that was just completed. The city does not rely on Bike Week for anything.

Bike Week, although a significant revenue boost to Weirs area businesses, has very little impact on the city as a whole.

This, and add MORE seating! The great thing about Meredith is being able to pull over, for free, and sit at the docks for a bit before moving along. Add the sculpture walk and restaurants--of which Weirs has neither--and you've got a great center.

Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

An observation on Bike Week

For a variety of reasons (congestion, civil disturbances, tight accommodations and likely many more) people who come for Bike Week are more willing to base themselves further and further from the main venue. It is not uncommon for businesses and communities in a wide radius to have signs and banners welcoming visitors attending the event.

This started with other Lakes Region towns but I expect that, for practical purposes, it will evolve into a state-wide event. Other locales will eventually host their own events during this period. The Weirs will likely remain the 'Capitol' and most attendees will complete the pilgrimage but will spend various amounts of time (and money) elsewhere.



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