A report commissioned by the Minocqua Town Board recommends constructing a new chalet and adding summer time activities to draw more visitors to Minocqua Winter Park & Nordic Center.
The board Tuesday accepted the 61-page report prepared by the North Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, assisted by the town office, Lakeland Ski Touring Foundation, and the Forest Riders Snowmobile Club.
Regional planning commission staff member Fred Heider said they did not prepare cost estimates for the recommended upgrades and projects. “A lot of engineering work still needs to be done,” he said, adding:
“Going forward, this isn’t the end. This is just taking all the ideas, some of our recommendations and then deciding what’s monetarily feasible if you want to do a capital campaign or if you are just thinking of some other idea, you can take this to other people as a fundraising idea or to foundations or (for) writing grants.” said Heider.
To bolster Winter Park as a year-round destination, the report suggests offering hiking and trail running and wilderness camping. The often-crowded chalet should be replaced with a larger one, it says. Snowmaking machines and more parking are also needed.
