Parks committee backs seasonal lease for River Life concession to CMA Wausau LLC

The City of Wausau Parks and Recreation Committee on April 7 unanimously recommended that the City Council approve a lease of the River Life concession building to CMA Wausau LLC for seasonal operation of an ice-cream and quick-serve food business.

The lease, presented by Parks and Recreation staff member Jamie, runs from June 1 this year through Oct. 30, 2026, with standard operating months of June 1–Oct. 31 in 2024 and May 1–Oct. 31 in future years. The draft lease includes two additional two-year renewal options and a 120-day notice period if the tenant elects not to renew after the first two-year term.

Under the terms summarized for the committee, CMA Wausau LLC will pay a higher monthly rent when fully operational: $900 per month for June–August, $700 per month for May, September and October (weekend-only service), and $450 per month for November–April to secure and maintain the building during the off season. Typical operating hours described for full seasons are Tuesday–Sunday, 11 a.m.–8 p.m.; the operator intends to offer ice cream, shakes and pizza and is finalizing a menu.

Jamie said the city will continue to maintain restrooms at River Life Park but that CMA Wausau LLC offered to assist with restroom and site upkeep because it affects their business image. The lease in the committee packet had been updated several times, Jamie said, and the version the committee reviewed is the draft staff intends to send to the City Council for final approval.

Committee members asked the owner to consider minimizing single-use plastics by using a “straws/lids by request” model and exploring alternatives such as wooden utensils; the owner and Jamie responded that the business is open to reducing plastic use and suggested a phased approach to changing inventory. Alder Neal raised the suggestion and Jamie said the operator was open to the idea.

Alder Rasmussen moved to approve the lease as drafted; Alder Lukens seconded. The committee voted in favor; the committee chair said the motion passed unanimously and that the item would be before the City Council the following evening.

The lease recommendation will be considered by the full city council on April 8; the committee record indicates staff expect the business to prepare for an opening around June 1 if council approves the lease.

Notes: Individual vote tallies and names of all members voting were not recorded in the transcript beyond the motion and second and the committee chair’s announcement that the motion “passes unanimously.”