Director reports Waukau Dam performing as designed; Sunnyview Expo and other park projects proceed amid weather-dependent timetable

The parks Director told the commission that the recently armored Waukau Dam is performing as designed, with water sheeting across the spillway and early grass growth visible after reseeding; staff said minor topsoil and reseeding work may continue over the next one to three years to ensure full establishment.

Staff also updated the commission on Sunnyview Expo Center construction: most light poles are installed though a small number of circuits require troubleshooting, the holding pond is full but not overtopping, and contractors remain on a weather-dependent schedule to complete landscaping and concrete punch-list items. The Director said staff is coordinating pre-construction meetings and scheduling with prime contractors and warned continued rain could tighten timelines.

Other updates included rebids for painting a covered arena (contractors cited setup and takedown scheduling as a major constraint), roofing work anticipated to begin in summer if weather permits, and a new Silent Bay riprap design to address shoreline washouts. The Director said the Poignant Boat Ramp survey and design work are underway with permitting to follow through the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and that the project budgeted about $175,000 is expected to be a fall project pending permits.

Staff said the department was fully staffed as of March 12, including promotion of a part-time caretaker to full time and onboarding of temporary seasonal hires in April and May; staff said quarter 2 reporting will better illustrate the additional work made possible by fuller staffing levels.