Next year, Gladstone will host another big walleye tournament — though a different one than that which is taking place this weekend. The National Walleye Tour (NWT) will come to the area the week of June 15 to 19, 2026.

It comes with a cost — the city and the Delta Chamber of Commerce, considered “site hosts,” are asked to pay a $12,000 host fee and cover hotel stays for NWT staff and camera crew. However, since NWT says the tournament is predicted to bring an estimated 250 to 325 people to town, the city commission determined that the expected economic impact and local exposure was worth it.

Commissioners were hoping that the City of Gladstone wouldn’t be the sole party on the hook for covering the cost of the up to 55 room nights for the NWT staff and camera crew, but didn’t have time to table a decision until the next meeting to wait for clarification.

“The unfortunate part of this was they let us know last Friday that they wanted us, but they need it answered by Wednesday this week,” City Manager Eric Buckman told the commission at the regular meeting of Monday, July 14.

Material provided by NWT gave an optimistic estimate of the economic impact on the area — their calculations claimed revenue for the community during that week could top $300,000.

“If you look at the financials for what it means for the businesses here, it’s a very good investment for our community,” Buckman said, noting that there would likely be a couple hundred “people that are staying for a week — so that’s motels, hotels, cabins and food and beverages… rental cars.”

Commissioner Steve O’Driscoll agreed, stating, “The advertising value out of putting on such an event is — it’s got a far bigger impact, in my opinion, than a lot of other things we spend money on.”

Commissioner Robert Pontius pointed out that it wouldn’t be solely Gladstone reaping the profits of extra traffic, though.

“It seems like the Chamber itself, maybe the City of Escanaba and Visit Escanaba should chip in on this as well, because there are a lot more hotel rooms in Escanaba and other areas than right in Gladstone, so they are probably going to benefit disproportionately,” Pontius said. “It doesn’t seem fair that we bear all the cost.”

The Chamber of Commerce will apply for grants to cover the hotel rooms that are to be provided to NWT staff by the host, according to a recreation department staff report presented at the meeting.

The commission approved hosting the NWT qualifying event the week of June 15 and discussed allocating $12,000 from the Dr. Mary Cretens fund and possibly other sources when next year’s budget is done.

In other business at Monday’s meeting:

– Following a request by the Gladstone Housing Commission, the city agreed to vacate a portion of Birch Street, which is between Fairview Manor and Waterview Apartments. It is meant to help the housing commission move forward with plans to replace Fairview Manor.

– The third licensee to do so in Gladstone, Jazzz, Inc. — the owners of Midd Bar and Lounge (formerly the Sand Bar) — submitted their social district permit application to the city commission for approval to be sent to the state. It passed the commission, with only Pontius, who has been opposed to the social district as a whole, voting no.

– Draw #36 for the wastewater treatment plant improvement project totaled $29,363.75. The project is nearly complete, but some kinks remain to be sorted out.

– The commission approved bill payment of $6,360.54 to Hawkins, Inc. for products to be used at the water plant; $14,956.15 to Power System Engineering (PSE) for consulting on the North Bluff substation work; $8,721.29 to Ives Truck and Auto Repair for work to a Public Works dump truck; and $6,800 to St. Germain Sandblasting for inspection services.