Shorewood weighs expanding lifeguard coverage and buoy line at Atwater Beach; board directs staff to return with budget options

Ivy, a representative of Lakefront Lifeguard Services, proposed expanding lifeguard coverage south of the middle pier at Atwater Beach after describing frequent large crowds — "On the weekends, sometimes we get, like, 500 people on the beach, 200 some in the water." The proposal calls for adding a new buoy line, a lifeguard chair and rescue board plus additional staffing; staff estimated an initial package near $50,500 (the current contract staffing budget is about $31,200 and added labor was quoted around $5,000).

Trustees debated whether to expand the geographic footprint or increase hours; some preferred adding earlier hours in the morning instead of adding coverage past the break wall. Trustees urged staff to explore parallel funding sources, including foundation support and community fundraising. The board directed staff to return with a costed proposal and options (expand footprint, expand hours, or both) and to pursue potential foundation or grant contributions rather than committing funds immediately.

Trustee discussion included the approximate equipment cost: one trustee noted the new buoy line cost was "almost $12,000," and staff said additional equipment (backboard, chair, trauma kit) plus setup explained the difference between the staffing-only increase and the full-package request. The item was tabled for the budget process and staff will include the higher figure in the draft budget while pursuing outside contributions.