MINOCQUA – A spokesman for a group seeking to build an indoor tennis facility in the greater Minocqua area didn’t get any support from the Minocqua Town Board on his inquiry whether the group could buy town-owned land near the hockey arena.
Tim Collins, representing Lakeland Wellness Initiatives, Inc. (LWI), approached the board Tuesday to see if they would be willing to support the sale of 10 acres of town land just south of the Island for the proposed year-round facility. It’s one of several sites under consideration by the group. The representative acknowledged the parcel in question presents challenges for development, including a hilly terrain and the need to bring in a municipal water line. Those site development costs could range from a quarter million to a half million dollars, with construction costs on top of that, it was noted.
Despite that, Collins said, “It’s a great location for a future multi-sport complex, especially if it’s next to the (Lakeland Hawks) ice arena.” “This could be the Central Park of Minocqua,” he added, alluding to New York’s famed Central Park. Last fall, the group floated the idea of building it at Brandy Lake Park, jointly owned by the towns of Woodruff and Arbor Vitae. That proposal is currently “on the back burner,” Collins said.
The private group has been working the past 18 months in securing pledges and support for their project, Collins said. As outlined to the Woodruff and Arbor Vitae town boards, the private investors in LWI would entirely fund the building’s construction. The project’s estimated costs of $1.7 million to $1.9 million would cover site development and construction of a facility (offering four tennis courts, locker rooms and meeting rooms) and the first three years of operation.
Collins said LWI is about halfway in pledges toward its goal. Collin also asked if the Minocqua Town Board was interested in becoming partners in the venture. He did not elaborate on what that would entail, but he had no takers on that request either.
Collins’ presentation was sparse on details, which sparked a comment from town chairman Mark Hartzheim that a business plan was needed before any serious discussion takes place. Supervisor Billy Fried lobbed a movie cliché to Collins: “I firmly believe if you build it, they will come.” Nonetheless, he, too, wanted more details. “I think it’s going to be hard for any of us to make comments without a real solid business plan and presentation.”
Hartzheim urged Collins to approach the Lakeland Retirement Foundation, which is fund-raising to build a new community center adjacent to One Penny Place in Woodruff. The town chairman said their project plans include pickleball courts; suggesting tennis courts would be a logical addition. Collins replied that the site isn’t sufficiently large enough for their long-range plans, which include racquetball courts and additional indoor tennis courts.
The town chairman also noted that area schools might be open to having indoor tennis courts. In the end, the board took no action. Selling town property requires either a special meeting of the town electorate, or action at the town’s annual meeting.
