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Contractor reports waterways operations returned $130,000 net profit and remain self‑sustaining
Summary
Gary Thirke, the contractor managing La Crosse's outdoor water facilities, told the parks board the 2025 season yielded a net profit of more than $130,000 and that the facilities have been run without city operating-fund support for nine years.
Gary Thirke, who manages the park department’s outdoor water recreational facilities under contract, told the Board of Park Commissioners on March 19 that the 2025 season produced a net profit of more than $130,000 and that the facilities have operated for nine years without using park department operating funds or city tax dollars.
Thirke’s contract covers three mooring facilities, a transient dock on the south side of Riverside Park, five boat landings, 78 boathouses and several leases administered through the Harbor Commission. He said the operation is self‑sustaining, reported a waiting list of more than 100 boats for 2026 and noted 14 fishing tournaments were scheduled at the landings for the season.
Commissioners asked whether any large projects were planned for 2026; Thirke said there were projects in discussion but did not detail them at the meeting. The board received the update and accepted the report as presented.
