Barkley Lodge is one of my favorites. The building itself just has an old-school feel to it, mainly I guess because it's been the same since I was kid going there since the early 90s. The pool is one of the best of the state parks around! It has such a cool layout, the golf course nearby is nice, there's a trap range, a nice indoor pool, and the kids always enjoy the recreational programs/activities with the staff during the summer. I always recommend it to others visiting the area.
It sure is a shame that it's closed down for Memorial Day Weekend, and you're right in that it's a big employer for the area. The kitchen and cleaning staff alone is pretty significant, no telling how many make up the grounds crew with such a large property and all that landscaping!
There doesn't appear to be any end to this any time soon.....I'm hearing now that 4th of July fireworks shows are more than likely going to being canceled at the various state parks and marinas in the area. The storms we had last year messed up a lot of the fireworks shows, looks like it's going to be a bust again this year.