This summer's flooding wiped out business for Rivertime Resort in Ponca, Nebraska, but the owner says he's turning this bad situation into a great opportunity.
Brad Verzani said flooding devastated his business this summer, but he's using the damage as a reason to redecorate.
"Now's the time, if you're going to do it. So that's what I've decided to do. We've changed a few colors and just made some different improvements. Just try to give it a different look, and get like a fresh start.. Makes you feel a little better,"he said.
Verzani says he was lucky to get only a little bit of ground water inside, but the outside needs a lot of work.
"We've been trying to get our boat ramp back open and ready for the next year.. We've moved a lot of sand,"Verzani said.
This past summer Verzani brought in truck loads of rip rap to try and save his shores, now he's bringing in a Bobcat to clean up all the sand.
"There's probably 6-7,000 tons laying over there.. I have no idea what I'm going do with it."
While he's still figuring out what to do with the sand, Verzani continues to take full advantage of this winter weather... Or lack there of.
"Usually the snow drift is 8–10 feet around the side of the building, so it's been very helpful for us as far as the weather the way it is, that we have gotten a lot of stuff done because in the Spring time, you don't have all that time to get it done.," he said.
Verzani says he doesn't know how much money he lost because of the flooding but he says what's gone is gone, and he's not going to worry about it.
Verzani says he plans to be back in business by the end of April.
