Tough Times for Zanesville Moose Lodge

The Zanesville Moose Lodge could be forced to close if it can’t find a way to pay the bills.

On Thursday lodge members sat down with the Muskingum County Commissioners to discuss their options.  Greg Batross said membership has decreased by 170 members since April of 2011.

"We’ve been struggling to pay our bills," said Batross.  "Like all the other clubs around, times are tough, and people really don’t have the money to spend.  Right now we’re paying $1,400 for water and sewer every two months.  We came to the commissioners to see if they could give us any kind of a break on those rates, but unfortunately, there’s nothing they can do for us right now, so we just need to keep saving money and cut as many costs as we can."

The new sewer line was installed in 2010 and allowed the lodge to build a modern kitchen, dining area, restrooms and offices, but members admit they underestimated the financial burden of the improvements.

"We do have a lot of people that are volunteering now to help us out, and as long as people keep volunteering, that’s less payroll we have to pay, so that helps a lot too," said Batross.

In 2010 and 2011, the Zanesville Moose Lodge contributed over $37,000 to charitable organizations.  Batross said that ideas are in the works to raise money, including a public bingo license.  The commissioners said that cutting utility rates for the lodge could create a domino effect in the county.