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Val B. Hardcastle Takes Helm at Tenaya Lodge, 
Just Acquired by Delaware North Parks Services


 
BUFFALO, N.Y., June 14, 2001 - Delaware North Parks Services announced today that it has purchased the 242 room Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, located in Fish Camp, Calif., a gateway to Yosemite National Park.  Delaware North Parks Services, a subsidiary of Delaware North Companies, is one of the leading providers of hospitality, lodging, food service and visitor services at national and state parks and attractions throughout North America, including Yosemite National Park.

"The purchase of the Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite is a good strategic fit with our core capabilities," said Dennis Szefel, President, Delaware North Parks Services.  "It is an outstanding property, built to reflect nature and highlight its grand surroundings.  Tenaya Lodge has consistently won the hearts of its guests by delivering excellent guest service, a tradition we intend to continue."
    
Val B. Hardcastle will take the helm as Managing Director for Tenaya Lodge.  Hardcastle has more than eighteen years of executive hotel management experience including his most recent position as Director of Hotels for Yosemite Concessions Services Corporation, a subsidiary of Delaware North Parks Services, where he was responsible for more than 1,500 guest rooms, 23 food and beverage locations and all guest recreation services.  

Prior to joining the company, Hardcastle was in executive management positions for Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites premier properties nationwide including Marriott's Desert Springs, Mountain Valley Lodge, Tan Tar A Resort, Seattle SeaTac, Mark Resort in Vail and Camelback Inn locations.  

Hardcastle has named Donald M. Ponniah as Assistant General Manager.  Ponniah has more than twenty years of hotel and food service management expertise including his most recent role as Assistant General Manager for Yosemite Lodge.  Prior to joining Delaware North Parks Services, he held various senior level hotel and food service management positions with Ramada Hotels, Doubletree, Radisson, Marriott Hotels, Resorts and Suites including the New York Marriott Marquis as well as the Princess Hotel in Bermuda and Hotel Lanka Oberoi in Sri Lanka.

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, which opened to rave reviews in 1990, is a world class mountain resort property set on 35 acres bordering the Sierra Nevada National Forest and adjacent to Yosemite National Park. The lodge, nestled at an elevation of 5,288 feet, is named for the legendary Chief Tenaya of the local Ahwahneechee tribe.  Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite underwent a significant renovation in 1998/1999 and has earned the AAA's prestigious Four-Diamond rating.

In addition to its spectacular setting, Tenaya Lodge offers 8,000 square feet of meeting space with nine conference rooms including the 500 person Grand Ballroom, a business center and full time Conference Concierge.  Tenaya Lodge offers fine and casual dining, conference and event catering, a full-service deli and room service.

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite also features a full-service spa and fitness center including 18-meter indoor and outdoor pools.  A vast array of year-round events and activities appeal to all ages and adventure levels.  The Activities Desk is a blend of concierge and adventure outfitter staffed with experts to arrange naturalist tours, mountain biking, fly-fishing and many more outdoor adventures ranging from gentle to extreme.

Delaware North Parks Services was formed in 1992, when it was selected to manage the visitor services at Yosemite National Park.  Today this account remains as one of the company's crown jewels and is now joined by a portfolio of outstanding national and state parks, attractions, hotels and conference centers including Sequoia National Park, Kennedy Space Center, Deer Creek Resort and Conference Center, Asilomar Conference Grounds, Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Roaring River Inn and Conference Center, Oregon Caves, U.S.  Mint-Denver and Philadelphia, Jones Beach State Park and Jetty Maritime Park.

Delaware North Companies, one of the nation's largest privately held companies, is a world leader in hospitality, food service, retail, recreation, entertainment and venue management at more than 300 locations worldwide.

 
 

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Contact:

http://www.delawarenorth.com/


 
Also See Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite Embraces the Yosemite General Management Plan / Dec 1999 


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