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Volunteers propose shelter at Camp Aurora fireplace; board asks for building plans
Summary
A volunteer group led by John Cloud presented a concept to replace a deteriorating Camp Aurora structure with a donated shelter and asked the Park & Rec board and the building inspector to review construction drawings before formal approval.
Volunteers working at Lake Mitchell presented a concept to the Mitchell Park and Recreation Board to replace and shelter the outdoor fireplace area at Camp Aurora, saying the building behind it is not practical to re-side and that a new roofed shelter could be completed in time for July 4 if the board gives conceptual approval.
The proposal, presented by volunteer John Cloud, said contractor Justin Young Construction would donate construction labor and materials for a 20-by-16-foot shelter that would reuse three existing posts and use a steel roof for fire safety. Joe Williams inspected the site’s chimney and told the group it was in “pretty nice shape,” according to the presentation, though the firebox needs work.
Board members and staff discussed practical requirements and next steps. The board’s initial response was supportive of the concept but nonbinding: staff said the building inspector will need to see drawings on paper and approve the design before the board will take a construction approval vote. The presentation noted electrical fixtures would be relocated, the project would leave two adjacent concrete slabs for picnic tables, and that one concrete pad would likely be removed to allow turf to grow.
Why it matters: the current Camp Aurora structure was described as difficult to repair because interior tongue-and-groove construction provides much of its structural strength. The volunteer group argued a new shelter with a steel roof would be safer near the fireplace and reduce long-term maintenance such as painting and staining.
Details from the presentation included the reuse of three posts, a proposed 4x4 appearance for rafters to match rustic colors, and plans to add a few exterior lights that could be placed on a timer. The group requested an expedited review to meet a construction schedule that would allow completion before the lake’s July 4 event, but both city staff and the presenter emphasized that formal construction cannot begin until the building inspector approves drawings and the board approves a final installation plan.
The next steps are procedural: the volunteer group will work with the city’s building inspector to produce drawings that meet inspection requirements and return to the Park & Rec Board for formal approval of construction and installation details.
