Weather delays work on lakefront park
Crew members from Winkler Concrete, a sub-contractor of Schellinger Construction, take advantage of a sunny day to lay concrete curbs and gutters on Adams Street. The county property and dock at the east end of the street will be the first area to be finished as part of the development of the new water front park. Rain has delayed the project by approximately 15 work days. (Photo courtesy of Margaret Davis)
West Shore News
June rains have continued to push off concrete and asphalt work on the new lakefront park at the corner of Adams Street and U.S. Highway 93.
Schellinger Construction and its sub-contractors require drier conditions to complete curbs and gutters, sidewalks and pavement repairs at the corner of Adams Street and South Lakeside Boulevard.
Park developer and Lakeside resident Margaret Davis reports that the new stormwater management system installed at the park has handled the recent rains as designed.
"We feel confident that this is a significant upgrade," Davis said at a public meeting earlier this month.
Other work, such as that on structures, landscaping preparations and relocation of electrical, cable and telephone lines, is proceeding as weather permits.
General contractor Mark Buck estimates that 15 working days have been lost due to wet weather. He and his crew hope to have the existing Adams Street county dock area finished in late June, according to Davis
There is no public on-street or off-street parking in the vicinity of the construction zone. Summer parking is available at Lakeside Elementary School on Adams Street, west of Highway 93.
Property owners Bruce Ennis and Davis have been working to develop the park after purchasing land along Flathead Lake, which will be donated to and then managed by Flathead County upon completion. The new park will not be open to the public until ownership has been transferred to the county and work is complete. In the meantime, residents are asked to respect the "No Trespassing" signs and the fences. This includes for the Fourth of July weekend for safety reasons. Fireworks are prohibited in the construction area.
"It's Christmas Eve and you're just going to have to wait until Christmas," Davis said regarding park access.
The site has been active since last fall. So far, buildings have been moved from the site or demolished throughout the fall and winter. The existing docks have been replaced along with the installation of a swim platform. The park's pavilions and bathroom facility have been taking form.
The park has been projected to be completed sometime in August followed by a dedication ceremony.
"The whole process has been very satisfying in many different ways," Davis said to area residents.