[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6461051,"mediaKeyId","5825933-83d62545c3d3dfeb322eb662f3662933","parentId",5825933,"title","Commission approves Grindline contract for three‑phase skate park design; major private donation pledged","audioSeconds",305,"startMs",1532680,"endMs",1838300,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825933-83d62545c3d3dfeb322eb662f3662933&start=1532&end=1838","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825933-83d62545c3d3dfeb322eb662f3662933/thumbnail_1532680.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461051/West-Bend-City/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Commission-approves-Grindline-contract-for-threephase-skate-park-design-major-private-donation-pledged","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461051-fed8d78c700f353085e89eb3407e26bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171346&Signature=chDz6J9IunmQOI9IXrGEqUlXKcu2QKtu1zNx01N-PmbCl3AyrBmjKwJBxlrcZ3ZQU9Bj1vtj3Lskf5jDDlyZSuBji-vr0FkTvRtBl8CzdoefKKZk3QjUKyMMzX6oyXtTc2PIhbcVIWlzvBN4MOFTH~PaUtDe0j7y1OVZcBOyT932bKhBmwzC~8sMtiJoPno4XP9FUA-gTMmPGgXgyzSPdXi-F35ExnwmWqpdJQxl3skdknRbGioW4YXoUO9SYqj2WfFfGbYgG8aD8DCPtj4sAaWt5nC6W9mB9vmaPKLhw5ihKovC1FIShLYkkEYslUcP20UPfSQmxz2~q4-SGmqLhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of West Bend, WI","date","2025-09-24T17:10:06.27Z","article","Ryan, a parks staff member, asked the commission to approve a professional services contract with Grindline for design of a future West Bend skate park at Regner Park (near the sports‑court area). The proposed contract calls for designs for three construction phases, public input meetings, renderings and construction documents with cost estimates; staff reported a contract price of $50,830.

Ryan said City Attorney Ian had reviewed and approved the contract language and that, if the commission approved the contract, staff would take it to the Common Council on Oct. 6. Grindline staff were tentatively scheduled to visit West Bend on Oct. 15 for a site visit and the first community input meeting. Ryan said renderings and construction documents would be useful for fundraising and would allow the city to go to bid once funds are secured.

Friends of West Bend Skate Park provided a monetary donation of $49,250 to be used toward the project; staff said the donation to the Friends was fully funded by a private donor, Mike Nast, and the commission publicly recognized the Nast family for the gift. During the meeting staff explained the department issued a request for proposals and received two proposals; Grindline’s proposal was selected on quality and cost grounds.

Commissioners voted to approve the contract and accepted the Friends’ donation; staff said the donation will enable fundraising to continue so the project can move from design toward construction in phases once sufficient funds are raised.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Parks & Rec. Commission - September 23, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission approved a contract with Grindline to design a three‑phase skate park at Regner Park and accepted a $49,250 donation from the Friends of West Bend Skate Park (funded by donor Mike Nast) toward the design contract and project fundraising.","taxTitle","West Bend City, Washington County, Wisconsin","taxId",5138,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461055,"Commission approves installation of Teresa Baker’s ‘Abundant’ along downtown Riverwalk",610,912060,1522970,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825933-83d62545c3d3dfeb322eb662f3662933&start=912&end=1522","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825933-83d62545c3d3dfeb322eb662f3662933/thumbnail_912060.jpg","/articles/6461055/West-Bend-City/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Commission-approves-installation-of-Teresa-Bakers-Abundant-along-downtown-Riverwalk","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461055-d3ed5eb725499b1cae92f98bd504ff91/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171346&Signature=kxmdu0DjvthEnQchx~Xz8zBM6iVVMgSx-qwvFwgeoCYIfZ0oupwMX8pn2CSfXUBJhBU8Jw0OYQx7QEY5BwGFCk6PCnTspJv7Gf-9EerVmc4MgRF-fCiSThji9rhKNFeoEhYvvXUUM0Xx3pAJb~lYGqZhJlt1hYrDeOeqzA-76mQ-pPzLUv8xYOUH5sZkL9ECwTL16Scw-k79ZGz1bETbzpsoNyFCJzLH9n1dVBrOxLn3xhi25MrylnkLhTo8nePmllAL47mFNvSO2FmU0rHqcqyjCpS2qrFj1cSo-YGGexlYmfBcrhYUh~sK2dvcSB5XFgmyA5tmLAI9ju7gJX6SEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mike, a commission member, presented a proposed donation from the West Bend Friends of Sculpture for a cast‑bronze work titled Abundant by artist Teresa Baker and asked the commission for approval to proceed with site planning and floodplain analysis. The proposed site is the upper level of the downtown kayak launch along the Riverwalk.

Michelle Mass, speaking as a member of the West Bend Friends of Sculpture, told the commission the nonprofit would pay for the sculpture and the base and initially estimated those costs at roughly $50,000. City staff estimated additional site amenities — seating boulders, landscaping, electrical work, uplighting and security cameras — at about $17,500; those supporting items would be covered by existing Riverwalk budget funds if the commission approved moving forward. Putting those numbers together produced an estimated total project cost of approximately $67,700, with exact costs to be determined after required site plans and a floodplain analysis.

Mass described the piece as a cast‑bronze interpretation of worry or burden baskets; she said the artist is an Indigenous woman from the Plains who has a family connection to Wisconsin and that the original forms were made from willow and natural materials. Mass also noted that the Friends of Sculpture and the artist prefer the piece remain on a river and that the Friends intended to add protective measures (a small circular garden or low fence) to discourage touching.

City staff noted logistical items: a floodplain analysis is mandatory at the proposed site; the department would place visible security cameras on existing light poles and could add a second camera down the Riverwalk with the same contractor mobilization; and maintenance needs for the small planted area would increase relative to turf. Commissioners asked about vandalism risk and maintenance; staff said cameras would be in visible locations and that the Riverwalk funding could reasonably cover the amenity work. Michelle Mass emphasized that the Friends pay installation and that the work is funded by the nonprofit, not taxpayer dollars: “It’s not taxpayer dollars that goes into that,” she said.

The commission voted to approve the sculpture donation and the associated site plan work so the Friends of Sculpture could proceed with a formal site plan and floodplain analysis. The motion carried by voice vote.","The commission approved a proposed donation and site plan for a cast‑bronze sculpture titled Abundant; the Friends of Sculpture will purchase and install the piece with site amenities partially funded from the Riverwalk budget.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461060,"Regner Beach aqua park draws record crowds, posts large operating surplus",2291,64790,2356230,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825933-83d62545c3d3dfeb322eb662f3662933&start=64&end=2356","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825933-83d62545c3d3dfeb322eb662f3662933/thumbnail_64790.jpg","/articles/6461060/West-Bend-City/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Regner-Beach-aqua-park-draws-record-crowds-posts-large-operating-surplus","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461060-b72273a3e434b64f64276ef4026673d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171346&Signature=HR9yoTuhsp-rm-dJ3h-egOLRCuPw0hSQ7EHXiJEennhL~kUsUYrzHVduubSZkJT-mTcjBchfPbV6MoyCH-w5fOYgWvdUtTfpmCICB5xl1FvP77o9Pz9XHPkZDfsJQghBv9pSGriKoy0klAXyOHGxJFTtmd5aq2JvJrO~zJRDCp1LDTseWcK4~aiNn76d3ojpGc2dR2fs-HqWgTyfXYWrR3J-l-0eQe2FTzNLsLJItc3G6KRIS5sw8cChji0etH-p7XTMvVmHh~CkMr~EZ9u0Er9j3lHJ-qNojL23GumRHd9ZDnAyL3-9xyuR8C5AyE84On8v-6FozHkc~hVgTReupg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ryan, a parks staff member, told the West Bend City Park and Recreation Commission on Sept. 23 that the new Westbury Bank Aqua Park at Regner Beach created a significant uptick in attendance and revenue during the 2025 season. The aqua park opened June 6 and the swimming season closed Aug. 17; staff reported the facility was open on 66 of 73 dates this year and recorded 494.5 hours of operation.

The increase in visitors was large: commission materials and Ryan’s presentation put total users at 31,800 in 2025, up 117% from 14,659 in 2024. Of those, 25,527 were paying aqua park customers, well above an earlier breakeven target of 18,200. Ryan said the single busiest day was Saturday, June 21, when 1,393 paying users attended.

The financial picture improved substantially. Ryan reported gross receipts of $295,375, total expenses of $158,530 and operating income of $136,845 for 2025 — roughly a $200,000 swing in operating income compared with 2024. Washington County’s Safe Summer Swim Grant program reimbursed 50% of certain personnel bonuses and hourly rates; Ryan said the county payment for this year will be $23,290 and projected about $12,000 in county support for 2026.

Staffing and operations: Ryan said staffing for 2025 included three supervisor lifeguards, 26 lifeguards and 13 beach-house attendants, with plans to return to similar levels for 2026 and to recruit more first-year lifeguards and additional attendants. Commission members asked about recruitment; Ryan replied that the department did not post openings last year and expected to fill roughly 20 lifeguard vacancies for 2026 through scheduled training sessions.

Water quality and safety: Ryan said weekly water samples were submitted to the Village of Jackson’s water department and all samples met Wisconsin public‑beach standards (reported as fewer than 235 CFUs of E. coli per 100 milliliters). The department completed an early-season goose‑abatement effort with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Staff reported routine minor incidents (bloody noses, small cuts, bee stings) and “a handful of lifeguard assists,” plus one major medical incident in which an individual had a seizure in the general swim zone; Ryan said staff followed the emergency action plan and the situation was handled.

Operational lessons and 2026 recommendations included adding life jackets in additional sizes to meet demand during high‑attendance changeovers, planning multiple days for disassembly and storage of the aqua‑park equipment in the off‑season, and continuing targeted lifeguard training. Ryan also said Wisconsin Lake and Pond Resources continued pond treatments during the season.

Why it matters: Commissioners and staff framed the aqua park as a regional draw that materially altered Regner Beach’s usage and finances in 2025, with implications for staffing, maintenance and future budgeting. Ryan said ticket sales, pass sales and external tourism data (zip codes captured from about half of online transactions) indicate the site attracted visitors from a broad area, and staff plan to expand programming and training for 2026.","West Bend’s first-year Westbury Bank Aqua Park drove attendance and revenue at Regner Beach in summer 2025; staff reported increased staffing needs next year and described a single major medical incident handled under the emergency action plan.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461046,"Votes at a glance: Sept. 23 West Bend Park and Recreation Commission",1886,49420,1936270,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825933-83d62545c3d3dfeb322eb662f3662933&start=49&end=1936","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825933-83d62545c3d3dfeb322eb662f3662933/thumbnail_49420.jpg","/articles/6461046/West-Bend-City/Washington-County/Wisconsin/Votes-at-a-glance-Sept-23-West-Bend-Park-and-Recreation-Commission","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461046-94d1201719985bd7212f20a734f80222/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171346&Signature=aGie79XT3f6ndAl9DErRKRpaDSTWbfRy1oLTBe8nLo8VRjBjP-AVg8jPCNEvKjU3sH-t2UToet8-CFzgvX4RcRbKThzqW5wa2qQPbWKrloE5H0zwK3MkzAwnq2~qXTH7BcSYr7cbY97oTqLA4biHH8KqM8s4zMSjMDg73e3k2Pw-fsDupHL8Y9qQ3FjfaltqlbzchYWT7pDtlMHBpTCqbCwITTuxCD9bmeL3kc17-sR5YeMe8BvknX0G103P4qtPJL2BRP9C4ukCkjsFh2WHFz5qSb46fIuy4VszAeFft-FaxKoArCJwwAqBKzVHWPQIZGjzw6h8coEAYvAMWfMpLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Below are the formal actions recorded in the Sept. 23, 2025 Park and Recreation Commission meeting. Where the transcript recorded only a voice vote, the commission’s minutes note the motion was carried; the meeting transcript did not provide exact numeric tallies for voice votes.

1) Approval of minutes from the August meeting
Motion: \"Motion to approve.\" Outcome: Motion carried (voice vote). Notes: The transcript records a voice vote and the chair noted \"Motion carried.\" Exact tally not specified.

2) Approval to proceed with Friends of Sculpture donation and site plan for the sculpture 'Abundant'
Motion: \"Approve the donation and proposed site plan work for the sculpture 'Abundant' and allow the Friends of Sculpture to proceed with site plan and floodplain analysis.\" Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Notes: Staff and the Friends will proceed with mandatory floodplain analysis; estimated project cost ~ $67,700; Friends will purchase and install the sculpture and base; city Riverwalk funds to cover roughly $17,500 for site amenities.

3) Approval to hire Grindline for skate park design
Motion: \"Approve professional services contract with Grindline for skate park design and public input for a three‑phase skate park at Regner Park.\" Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Notes: Contract amount reported as $50,830; staff will take the contract to Common Council on Oct. 6 and a Grindline site visit and community meeting were tentatively scheduled for Oct. 15.

4) Acceptance of donation from Friends of West Bend Skate Park
Motion: \"Accept a monetary donation of $49,250 from the Friends of West Bend Skate Park for the skate park project.\" Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Notes: Staff stated the donation to the Friends was funded by private donor Mike Nast and publicly recognized the donor; staff also referenced a $50,000 recognition figure in remarks.

5) Acceptance of other donations
Motions: Accept monetary donations from the Riverside Disc Golf Club (reported $400) and Lynch Motor Group (reported $730.50) for specified uses. Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Notes: Donations were accepted for disc‑golf improvements and Special Olympics support per staff presentation.

6) Resolution to authorize transfer from the YARC fund
Motion: \"Request to transfer a thousand dollars to the expense account for Special Olympics.\" Outcome: Approved (voice vote). Notes: The transfer of $1,000 will cover athlete hotel and meal expenses for recent tournaments.

Why this matters: The votes authorize design contracts, accept private donations to accelerate capital projects, and allocate modest operating funds to nonprofit programs. Several items will proceed to further technical work (site plans, floodplain analysis, Common Council review) before construction or installation.","Summary of formal motions and voice‑vote outcomes taken during the Sept. 23, 2025 Park and Recreation Commission meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approves Grindline contract for three‑phase skate park design; major private donation pledged

Commission approves installation of Teresa Baker’s ‘Abundant’ along downtown Riverwalk

Regner Beach aqua park draws record crowds, posts large operating surplus

Votes at a glance: Sept. 23 West Bend Park and Recreation Commission