No Clearwater Rally This Year But New Ownership/Rally For Next Year

[jimbonich]

I have been investigating options for relocating the Clearwater/Parliament/Coachworx Rally that we normally hold each year. Since Parliament finally closed their doors (and the property) a couple of weeks ago I have also been in touch with the new owners of their property.

The good news is that Rick May and some new ownership will be reopening a Coachworx-type of coach/RV service around January 1st. Rick and a small number of prior Parliament service techs will be operating at the back of the property in the old Coachworx shop. My understanding is that their lease includes the old Coachworx Body Shop and the building that became the Metal Shop (where we held our last Rally prior to the Parliament merger. I'm not sure about the campsites but I assume they are part of their new lease also.

It's just too late to try and get something going for this year, and quite frankly I don't want to go to a lot of hassle to relocate just for one year. Rick says that with more time to prepare we can bring the Rally back next January.

The property has been broken into different parcels and now has different ownership. I've also spoken to the new owner of the front/retail part of the property and he hopes to have some type of RV facility on the premises also, but imho that's an expensive piece of property that could support several shops, restaurants, etc. (or even a car dealership) and bring a better return. He was trying to be helpful but it's just too early to try and use that part of the property while it is still locked up and in limbo while he makes his own plans.

So plan on January 2019 to resume our annual Clearwater rally. In the meantime, the new company plans to reopen next week:

USA Luxury Coach
727 812-0721

Those of us who know Rick and his crew will be thrilled to see them stay a part of our Wanderlodge Community

[Dieselbird01]

Thanks for the update Jim.

[irmagoo]

yes thanks jim
I hope rick and crew do well-good folks for sure..
mike

[Bill Pape]

Thanks Jim, good information, We will miss this annual rally.
Hoping Ric and the tech's get it together as they did with Coachworx,
We wish USA Luxury the best , Old BB's need them

[hansruys]

Just a thought:
the Arcadia conversion bus rally was also canceled this year,
maybe a new venue combining both rallies is possible?

[Randy Dupree]

Originally Posted by hansruys

Just a thought:
the Arcadia conversion bus rally was also canceled this year,
maybe a new venue combining both rallies is possible?

I called and talked to the Arcadia people,he was going to call me back and that was months ago...never heard a word.

[jimbonich]

Nothing has changed in terms of skipping the Clearwater Rally this year, but I do want to post this correction.

Rick May is not a principal is USA Luxury Coaches and is not currently involved with the company, although the employees and ownership have his blessing. Many of us hope that Rick will be involved in some capacity in the future once his duties with Parliament's bankruptcy are completed.

Ben Cummings, a long-time Parliament Employee, is the General Manager of USA Luxury Coaches, and several prior Parliament employees are Techs and support personnel. As I understand it, the USA Luxury Coach leased property includes the previous Coachworx footprint. They have the Coachworx/Prevost shop in the back of the property, as well as the adjoining campsites. I'm currently parked where NHBill, Michael Campbell, and I (the original "Three Amigos") parked seven years ago. Plus the Body Shop that was originally part of Coachworx.

Dave Sullivan, who is one of the best techs I have met, has also joined the team so even though they have a smaller and less expensive payroll, they have a lot of depth and capabilities in the new company.

I will try and update as I have further news, perhaps in a separate thread. In the meantime we are still planning to hold our 2019 rally at the same location(s) as before.. Stay tuned for updates....