Fort Robinson State Park upgrades lodging facilities

The improvements might not be obvious to those driving through Fort Robinson State Park, but visitors who stay in the historical lodging offerings of the northwestern Nebraska attraction will surely take note.

Mike Morava, regional park supervisor for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said this winter’s many upgrades to Fort Robinson’s buildings will be popular among those who use them, and help solidify the park’s standing as one of the nation’s best places to have a family reunion.

“I have never been part of a busier off-season than this one, but everything was needed, and it is a substantial upgrade,” he said.

Depending on the building, the improvements include rehabilitation and refinishing of hardwood floors, new kitchen cabinets, electrical service and panel upgrades, and gutters. All rental units also received new furniture, including bunk beds.

The buildings that received substantial upgrades include Comanche Hall, the 1909 Officers Quarters known as “the Bricks,” the 1887 Officers Quarters known as “the Adobes,” the 1874 Officers Quarters on the east side of Highway 20, the Bandmaster Quarters, two lodge rooms, the Nurses Quarters and Sutler’s Store activities center. Also, one lodge room was upgraded to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The total cost of the improvements is estimated at more than $815,000. The upgrades, and others in the state parks, have largely have been funded by Capital Maintenance Funds, which were established by the Nebraska Legislature to help preserve Nebraska’s public outdoor recreation facilities and parklands; other state and federal funding sources; and Nebraska Game and Parks’ funds generated from user fees of the state park system.