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Double JJ Ranch Suspends Operation

Michigan Waterpark and Golf Resort Preparing for Sale

Sep 22, 2008 Dee Dee Smith

After launching an indoor waterpark and hosting a hugely successful music festival this summer, the Double JJ has closed due to financial woes.

For over seventy years the Double JJ Ranch and Golf Resort in Rothbury has been a travel destination for many. No matter the season, the Double JJ provided its visitors with an array of fun acitivities. In the warmer seasons guests enjoyed championship golf at the Thoroughbred Golf Club, horseback riding, pig roasts, and a weekend rodeo. During the colder months guests could snowmobile, go on a sleigh ride, try tubing, dog sledding, cross country skiing or attend a dinner theater performance.

The 1500 acre resort provided a variety of lodging accommodations including a ranch, hotel, cabins, condominiums and campgrounds. Also on site were two restaurants, and both indoor and outdoor meeting areas. Double JJ was also a popular spot for weddings, corporate meetings, conventions and family reunions.

Double JJ Invests in New Indoor Waterpark

Just a few years ago, the owners of the Double JJ took a big investment risk when they added an indoor waterpark to the site. It was hopeful that the water park would attract families both during peak and off-peak seasons.

The Rothbury Music Festival

This year the resort hosted what was to be the first annual Rothbury Music Festival. The festival received national attention and was said to have been a huge success with a reported 50,000+ in attendance. Musical entertainment included The Dave Matthews Band, Snoop Dogg, John Mayer, 311, Thievery Corporation and Widespread Panic.

Double JJ Closes Operations

Despite what appeared to be a great couple of seasons for the resort, the owners of the Double JJ recently announced that they were closing in preparation for sale. The owners have posted the following on their website - "The level of available financing, together with the traditional off-peak seasonal downturn in the resort’s business..., made continued full-scale operations impossible".

The Future of the Double JJ

Reports that the resort was having financial struggles has been rumored for quite some time. Additionally, several of Double JJ's buildings including both the ranch and hotel were in much need of renovation and repair. Nonetheless, the new building project and summer music festival led many to believe that the Double JJ was making a comeback so to speak.

On October 30, a property auction is planned for the resort. Current owners, community residents and frequent guests of the Double JJ are hopeful that there will be a quick sale and that the new owners will be ready to open next season.

The copyright of the article Double JJ Ranch Suspends Operation in NE U.S. Travel is owned by Dee Dee Smith. Permission to republish Double JJ Ranch Suspends Operation in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.