What’s happening?
At an Oct. 21 meeting, Sugar Land City Council unanimously approved a license agreement with Whenever Watersports LLC to operate a self-serve kayak station at Sugar Land Memorial Park.
The move comes after ShareKayak LLC, which has been in contract with the city since July 2022, opted out of its contract earlier this year, per agenda documents. Parks Department maintenance staff installed a floating kayak launch in 2023.
The 150-acre park, located at 15300 University Blvd., is also home to 2.5 miles of trails, the city's Veterans Memorial, a lake, a playground and the adjacent Pawm Springs Dog Park, according to the city's website.
The company has over 50 locations nationwide, including installations at Lake Conroe and The Woodlands, according to agenda documents.
Breaking it down
The city will receive a $100 per month rent allotment and a 5% share of monthly gross revenue for the 156-square-foot battery-operated rental station, which will hold eight kayaks in the Memorial Park lake, per agenda documents.
The contract is estimated to bring the city between $10,000 and $15,000 in gross revenue per year.
What’s next?
The contract will last five years, with five additional one-year renewal terms, according to agenda documents.
Construction of the rental stations is anticipated for this winter.
