The Beach House is Closed

The Beach House in Pine Lake has been closed due to safety concerns. This includes the front porch and the deck in the back of the building.

An inspection prior to beginning renovations showed some structural concerns, and the city has decided to close the building as renovation proceeds.

City council member Brian Car's e-mail follows.

Hi, All.

Wanted to make you aware of issues related to the Pine Lake Beach House that have created a compelling need to suspend its use effective immediately, and for an indeterminate period of time.

As the City began the bond-funded project to renovate the Beach House and update all of its many aging systems, an independent building inspector came out to look at the structure. City Council reviewed the report from the building inspector and observed that there are a number of structural issues that present safety hazards. While it has stood for decades and has hosted countless functions, including a few as recently as last week, the building is not 100% safe today. It's likely this would not have been clearly understood today had the City not undertaken the recent building inspection.

This tough decision to shutter the Beach House is the prudent course of action because of public safety concerns. As of this evening, yellow caution tape has been placed on the exterior of the facility, including the front and rear porch areas. Effective immediately, PL residents and visitors are asked to stay out of the Beach House and NOT TO ACCESS THE FRONT OR REAR PORCH AREAS until further notice.

The process to renovate the Beach House has already taken a step forward as of this past week, with City Council's approval of a design firm to render architectural plans. On completion of these plans, a process will begin to invite contractors to bid for the work and it is anticipated that renovations will begin in late-spring. When the contractor is selected we will know with more certainty about how long the renovation might take.

Important things to note:

1. The City does not anticipate that renovations to the Beach House will affect beachfront and lake access. The lake is expected to be open for recreation this summer.

2. We're investigating options for a temporary shade structure and a port-a-potty unit to be located on or near the beach while the Beach House is inaccessible.

3. The City will make every effort to make meeting space available at the Court House and Club House for recognized PL groups and committees (PLAIN, ARB, etc) during the Beach House renovation.

When it's finished, the renovated Beach House will be in line with modern codes for electricity, plumbing and other infrastructure. It will be ADA compliant. The renovated Beach House will help the City expand its revenue base through rentals and provide residents with a safe, accessible and attractive place to gather. For now, on behalf of the City, please mind the yellow tape and please pardon our dust as we work to make the Beach House the best and safest it can be.

Please feel free to forward this message to those who do not subscribe to this listerv. Thanks.

Respectfully,

Brian Carr

Pine Lake City Councilmember