Issue 20. 5/1/2025

Weekly Newsletter from General Manager Justin Pamplin

Hello Sawmill Family,

We’re charging into May with major progress, exciting events on the horizon, and continued dedication to improving the Sawmill experience. Here's this week’s full update:

Splash Project Starts Monday

Work officially begins Monday on the Splash Project! We’re looking forward to enhancing this area with new amenities and a refreshed look

New RV Site Upgrades

We are in the process of adding several upgrades to a few of our sites that will be designated as “Premium” to our rental pool.

we are starting with 137 and then adding 108 on the loop and a few more. This will bring additional income and a greater guest experience!

Cabin 33 Remodel Complete

Cabin 33 has officially been remodeled—and it looks fantastic! Hats off to our amazing team for getting this done beautifully and efficiently.

Wi-Fi Expansion in Progress

Thanks to Mike Gamelin, we are making strong progress on improving Wi-Fi throughout the park. He’s been connecting existing cabin repeaters and has purchased three mesh repeaters that will be available for rental from Lucy’s. Once completed, we expect fast, reliable internet access across all areas of Sawmill.

Staff & Resident Summer Party – Epperson Lagoon, June 10

We’re excited to announce our Summer Party at Epperson Lagoon—the nation’s largest lagoon, located in Wesley Chapel—on June 10th. Staff attend free, and residents are welcome for just $40. It’s going to be a relaxing and fun day in the sun—more details coming soon!

Burn Ban in Effect

Please be aware that Pasco County is under a burn ban. We have taken steps to notify all guests and residents. Safety first!

April Survey Results

Our guest surveys for April reflect continued excellence across departments:

• Staff Friendliness: 3.7 (A)

• Food & Beverage: 3.2 (B+)

• Reservations: 3.5 (B+)

• Facilities: 3.1 (B)

• Promotions: 3.4 (B+)

• Overall Camp Performance: 3.4 (B+)

Thank you to our entire team for continuing to provide above-average experiences for all of our guests. We’re actively addressing key guest concerns, including outdated furniture and limited food service hours.

Estate Planner Visit – May 17 at 10:30 AM

An Estate Planner will be on-site May 17 at 10:30 AM to provide valuable guidance and options for residents interested in long-term planning. In Woody's.

Sign Renovation in Progress

The renovation of our welcome sign has begun and should be completed next week. We’re just waiting on a few final tiles to arrive. It’s going to look amazing!

Attending the Florida-Alabama RV Conference

Next week, Phyllis, Larry, and I will be attending the Florida-Alabama RV Conference in Orlando. We look forward to returning with insightful new ideas and strategies to help keep Sawmill at the forefront of excellence.

Pool Deck Update

The pool deck resurfacing is complete, but due to shifting ground underneath, we may see some movement over time. We are closely monitoring the area.

Speeding Throughout the Park:

Speeding continues to be a concern among residents, guests, and staff. In response, we are installing several new speed bumps across the property.

• After consulting with other campgrounds, it’s clear this approach has been effective in similar environments.

Unauthorized Entry via Peterson Park

We’ve been receiving increasing reports of individuals parking in Peterson Park and walking into Sawmill under the bridge. Today, Larry, Tori, and I walked the path ourselves—while it is technically possible, it’s not easy. We are currently brainstorming preventive measures to discourage this.

New Overnight Pool & Food Service Trial

We’ve heard your feedback loud and clear: guests want extended pool hours and late-night food options. While this might not be the most profitable change, it’s an investment in guest experience, and that matters.

Starting this weekend, we’re shifting kitchen prep to overnight hours (11 PM–6 AM), allowing:

• Pool access from 9 AM to 6 AM (Friday & Saturday)

• Late-night ordering from a limited menu for our night owls and insomniacs

This idea was inspired by my recent stay at the Island House in Key West, where having access to poolside food overnight made all the difference. We hope to bring that same relaxed luxury to our guests.

Thanks again to everyone who helps make Sawmill an exceptional place to live, visit, and celebrate. As always, for more updates, visit floridagaycamping.com/news-1.

Justin Pamplin

General Manager