Manatee County enters into agreement with vendor for Jiggs Landing

MANATEE -- Jiggs Landing has been one of Donald Collison's favorite spots for about eight years.

The Manatee County resident, who likes to fish, kayak and canoe at the East Manatee park, hopes to share his passion with the community by offering recreational opportunities, cabin rentals and a concession.

"This type of venture has been a dream of mine and my partners for quite awhile," Collison said. "We also wanted to work in the outdoors in Florida and offer canoe and kayak rentals and cabin rentals."

Manatee County has executed a one-year contract with Jiggs Landing Fish Camp as the vendor at Jiggs Landing, 6106 63rd St. E. The contract has the option for three automatic five-year renewals.

After the first year, Jiggs Landing Fish Camp "will have to pay 15 percent of total gross sales minus sales tax for everything over $75,000 annually," according to Mike Whelan of the county Parks and Natural Resources Department.

Collison, who plans to open the new business in stages, said cabin, canoe and kayak rentals will be ready Jan. 7.

By the end of January, Collison said he will open the bait and tackle shop and concession. A sunset pontoon tour will be added by the end of next year, he said.

In three to six months, the concession will transition into a cafe, Collison said.

"We will offer light fare, sandwiches and sides like potato salad and cole slaw," he said.

Rental rates include:

$45 per night for cabins.

$20 for four hours and $30 for all day for kayaks.

$30 for four hours and $50 for all day for canoes.

$20 for half day and $40 for all day for picnic pavilions.

The partnership with the vendor completes the work done at Jiggs Landing this year.

Earlier this year, renovations such as resurfacing the parking lot, expanding the dock and shoring launch ramp erosion were completed.

Melissa Nell, manager of the Programming/Education and Volunteer Division in the county Parks and Natural Resources Department, said adding a vendor is a return to the original purpose of Jiggs Landing.

"It's very exciting that we have entered into this partnership because once again families will be able to enjoy the site in this way," she said. "I've been very impressed with their plan and I think they are going to be a great match with what we want to offer the community."

A lot of families have great memories of overnight stays at Jiggs Landing in addition to other activities including fishing, Nell said.

"We are really going to be able to bring that back to Manatee County," she said. "It's a really unique experience to stay in the cabins on the Braden River. It really has a charm."

To contact Jiggs Landing Fish Camp, call 941-727-4181. The phone line should be operational by this weekend, Collison said. The business is also on Facebook at Jiggs Landing Fish Camp.

Claire Aronson, Manatee County reporter, can be reached at 941-745-7024. Follow her on Twitter@Claire_Aronson.

This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 6:15 PM with the headline "Manatee County enters into agreement with vendor for Jiggs Landing ."