The Great Wolf Lodge is the poster child for two of Cherryland Electric Cooperative’s most member-friendly programs.

The first is capital credits, where members receive credit toward their bill or money back from the cooperative after all the bills are paid. Last year, for instance, the Cherryland board voted to return a record $4.3 million to members.

Members get their slice of capital credits depending on how much electricity they’ve used.

“And we use a lot,” said Great Wolf engineer Tim Mikovitz, who oversees energy usage at the 280-room facility and waterpark. “So we want to make sure we get the most efficient use possible.”

To that end, Mikovitz and general manager Chris Ballou have come up with game plans to benefit both the resort and their customers.

The Wolf Lodge has used a chunk of their capital credit money to re-invest in their facility, starting with LED lighting. That’s part of another important Cherryland program – Energy Optimization.

“We haven’t had an LED light burn out for a year,” said Mikovitz. “And there is great savings because of that. Not only because we don’t have to replace bulbs, there is a huge labor savings in not going around replacing bulbs, too.”

When the Wolf Lodge uses its capital credits toward improvements, as it has done multiple times in the past four years, their customers notice it.

Cherryland’s Energy Use Advisor Tammy Squires has worked with the Wolf Lodge on several projects.

“The projects ranged from lighting upgrades in the game room, shopping areas and waterpark to guest room energy management controls,” said Squires. “On two of the projects they accessed additional funds through their capital credit account to help reduce the project cost and get a quicker return on investment.”

Ballou agrees.

“The capital credits from Cherryland has been helpful to us,” he said. “Our customers don’t walk around talking about the lighting improvements, of course. But we know it makes a difference when our lighting is first-class in the pool and restaurant areas and the customers can manage their energy controls in their individual rooms.”

Mikovitz takes great pride in how the lighting and energy features help the customers.

“It’s one of the things that sets us apart,” he said. “I think at night when you’re driving past the Wolf Lodge, we look like a beautiful cruise ship.”

Ballou thinks that’s part of the Wolf Lodge’s attraction.

“We’re pretty much booked solid all summer,” he said. “So if people want to come stay with us, make sure you either call ahead and get a room or go online.”

For more information on Traverse City’s Great Wolf Lodge, check out their website.