Park Commission approves minutes, projects, events and fees; donations accepted

At its Jan. 30 meeting, the West Bend Park and Recreation Commission approved several motions covering minutes, capital and volunteer projects, events, fees and donations. Below are the items acted on by the commission during the public meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of Nov. 21 meeting minutes — Motion to approve carried. Motion credited in the record as moved by Commissioner Craig and seconded by Chairman Mike; members voted "Aye" and the motion carried.

- Ridge Run steps — The commission approved an Eagle Scout project proposed by Seth Cover to install approximately nine timber box steps with pea gravel at Ridge Run to address a muddy path between the soccer field and the main parking lot. The project cost estimate presented was $900 (materials about $540); the motion to approve was moved and seconded on the record and carried by voice vote.

- Westbury Bank naming-rights agreement for the Regner Aqua Park — The commission approved the seven-year sponsorship and naming-rights agreement, under which Westbury Bank commits $60,000 (draft schedule: $25,000 upon signing plus annual installments of $5,000). Commission approval is conditional on subsequent approval by the City of West Bend Common Council; the Park Commission vote was recorded as carried by voice vote.

- No-fee special events for 2025 — The commission approved 12 no-fee/co-sponsored events for 2025, including Bachfest (March 1), the Lions Club Easter egg hunt (April 5), a kids fishing clinic (April 12), spring cleanup (April 26), Silverbrook School Fun Run (June 3 with a June 4 rain date), Friends of Lac LaRan plant sale (May 10), Al's Hideout car show (May 10), Good Shepherd softball tournament (May 9, rain date May 10), Regner Park Beach House beer garden (June, two nights), Friends of Parks & Recreation beer garden, and West Bend Athletic Association tournaments. Staff noted that all events must complete the Clerk's Office special-event permitting and insurance processes despite the waived fees.

- Fee event: West Bend Little League Father's Day tournament — The commission approved the three-day tournament (June 13–15) at Quas Creek Park, Riverside Park and Carl Cuss fields. Under existing memoranda of understanding, some fields have fees waived while Riverside Park carries a fee; the commission approved the fee schedule presented for Riverside Park.

- Summer 2025 program fees and administrative fee — The commission approved the department's proposed fee schedule changes and an added $3 administrative fee for many recreation activities to offset staff and software costs. Notable changes include increases to some contracted program shares (tennis league), new Stingers Youth Golf Academy revenue-sharing arrangements, revised Regner Beach daily and season passes to reflect Aqua Park expansion (general Aqua Park ticket proposed to increase to $8), group discount tiers for the Aqua Park, and a preseason punch pass option (10 visits for the price of 7). The commission discussed details and approved the package by voice vote.

- Donations accepted — The commission approved acceptance of two donations: $4,800 from Gary Britton to help pay for acoustic panels at the Beach House, and $25,000 (first half of a pledged $50,000) from West Bend Friends of Parks and Recreation for Aqua Park inflatable obstacles. The commission moved and seconded acceptance and approved both by voice vote.

Recorded procedure and next steps

For multiple items the minutes note motions and seconds but do not record roll-call tallies beyond unanimous "Aye" voice votes; no recorded "No" or abstentions appear in the transcript for these agenda items. Several approvals are subject to further steps: the Westbury Bank naming-rights agreement requires Common Council approval before funds or naming take effect; the Ridge Run Eagle project requires the executing party to call the utility-locate hotline before work begins; and the Aqua Park initiatives will require contracting, procurement and design steps (soil borings and RFP/RFQ processes) before construction.

Not all items discussed at length were decided; notably the long-running skate park site-selection and fundraising effort received an extended staff presentation and discussion but no formal vote. The commission and staff indicated they will seek a more narrowly defined site and additional public input prior to a final location vote.