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Shell Lake council votes 6–1 to run beaches without lifeguards in 2026
Summary
Citing a shortage of qualified applicants, the Shell Lake council voted 6–1 to accept Parks & Recreation’s recommendation not to staff lifeguards this summer and to remove the lifeguard stand and two rafts from the beach.
City Administrator Andrew Eiche told the council May 11 that Parks & Recreation could not hire enough certified applicants to run a lifeguard program for 2026. Councilmember Stephen Smith moved and Rob Anderson seconded a motion to accept the committee’s recommendation and remove the lifeguard stand and two rafts from the beach.
The motion passed with six votes in favor and one opposed (Dan Harrington). Eiche’s report, read during the meeting, said the decision was driven by the lack of required applicants rather than a budgetary directive.
Mayor Rowie Hansberger and council members discussed other Parks & Recreation items in the same meeting, but the record shows no additional funding or contingency plan for lifeguard coverage at city beaches during the 2026 season. The council approved other Parks & Rec. motions related to campgrounds and facility repairs during the session.
