WAUSAU, WI (WSAU) — The City of Wausau Parks and Rec Committee has given preliminary approval to a proposal from the Water Walkers ski team to move their base of operations from D.C. Everest Park to Pluegill County Park on a trial basis.
City and County Parks, Recreation, and Forestry Director Jamie Polley says the group is outgrowing their current home due to both environmental factors and a growth in their membership. “They are finding that area [D.C. Everest Park] is becoming too shallow for their boats. They have new boats with bigger motors, and it’s too shallow. The association is growing, so they also feel the space is a little too small.”
The move requires approval from the county and all adjacent municipalities. The DNR would also need to sign off on the plans due to the location of a proposed ski jump. Polley says the group also feels the move would allow them to put on a better show. “It’s deeper, it’s wider, it’s centrally located and it has plenty of parking for a water ski show. Even more than Everest Park. It has [several] positives to it as well.”
Monday’s approval was unanimous. The move will now be considered by the full council next year after the County’s Park Commission takes a look at it during their January meeting. Any changes would likely go through a trial period and re-evaluation before any permanent infrastructure is installed. “Temporary docks, temporary infrastructure there so we can have a trial year to make sure this is not going to interfere with our regular use of this park and this area. That there is no safety concern.
“In speaking with the group and the DNR, they feel it can work,” added Polley.
The Village of Rib Mountain has also signed off on the plan, conditional to the Park Commission’s approval. Rothschild and Schofield also need to approve it.
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