Posted on May 1, 2019
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Work continues to address safety concerns at the Bass Lake Beach House patio. The facility’s operator, Callahan Development, LLC has made temporary repairs to the patio’s railing. Starke County Park Board Member Rik Ritzler gave an update during last week’s meeting, according to County Attorney Marty Lucas.
Lucas says board members also discussed additional efforts to shore up the structure. Board members have been voicing concerns with the patio and the loose railing for years. But the facility’s manager, Larry Clarich, has said any permanent solution would require more significant work that would go beyond regular maintenance. He previously told board members that the way the railing was designed allows water to enter gaps in the concrete. Similarly, he’s said the sand that fills the space under the patio will continue to wash away, without major improvements.
Lucas says the park board also discussed ongoing efforts to install glacial stone and additional sand at the waterfront.
Showing posts with label Bass Lake Beach House patio. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bass Lake Beach House patio. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 1, 2019
Friday, March 15, 2019
Starke County Park Board Suggests Having Engineer Analyze Bass Lake Beach House Patio
Posted on March 15, 2019
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
After a six month break between meetings, the Starke County Park Board has picked up its discussion on the Bass Lake Beach House patio. On Tuesday, board members directed the facility’s manager, Larry Clarich, to get quotes for what it would cost to have an engineer visit the site, while making short-term repairs in the meantime.
For years, board members have been voicing concerns with the site’s safety, including a loose railing and a lack of support in the concrete structure. The eventual goal is to come up with a plan to redesign the patio and railing to make them more structurally sound. The park board could then consider whether it would be willing to reimburse the cost of the work as a capital improvement.
While normal maintenance is the responsibility of the facility’s operator, Callahan Development, LLC, Clarich said any permanent solution would require more significant work. “The construction on that rail was probably not the best way to do it because what happened was the way that rail was plunged down in there, it creates a gap for water and it freezes and breaks,” he explained. “To try and repair that exactly the same way it is not the fix for that.”
The situation is similar with the patio structure itself. Clarich said he’s been filling the space under the patio with sand, but it will continue to wash away, the way it’s currently designed.
Board Member and County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said one of his employees who has experience building structures has looked at the site. “He said on the concrete walkway, he could not tell how bad the voids were,” Ritzler explained. “The only way to tell how bad the voids were would be to tear it out and check it out and really fix it. Not just pour sand or something in there, but to take some of the concrete out, really check the voids out, just because it could be this big or it could be halfway through the walkway.” In any case, Ritzler said the installation of glacial stone around the patio last year will likely slow the sand erosion.
The park board’s objective is to make sure the facility is safe, by the time the beach opens for the season.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
After a six month break between meetings, the Starke County Park Board has picked up its discussion on the Bass Lake Beach House patio. On Tuesday, board members directed the facility’s manager, Larry Clarich, to get quotes for what it would cost to have an engineer visit the site, while making short-term repairs in the meantime.
For years, board members have been voicing concerns with the site’s safety, including a loose railing and a lack of support in the concrete structure. The eventual goal is to come up with a plan to redesign the patio and railing to make them more structurally sound. The park board could then consider whether it would be willing to reimburse the cost of the work as a capital improvement.
While normal maintenance is the responsibility of the facility’s operator, Callahan Development, LLC, Clarich said any permanent solution would require more significant work. “The construction on that rail was probably not the best way to do it because what happened was the way that rail was plunged down in there, it creates a gap for water and it freezes and breaks,” he explained. “To try and repair that exactly the same way it is not the fix for that.”
The situation is similar with the patio structure itself. Clarich said he’s been filling the space under the patio with sand, but it will continue to wash away, the way it’s currently designed.
Board Member and County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said one of his employees who has experience building structures has looked at the site. “He said on the concrete walkway, he could not tell how bad the voids were,” Ritzler explained. “The only way to tell how bad the voids were would be to tear it out and check it out and really fix it. Not just pour sand or something in there, but to take some of the concrete out, really check the voids out, just because it could be this big or it could be halfway through the walkway.” In any case, Ritzler said the installation of glacial stone around the patio last year will likely slow the sand erosion.
The park board’s objective is to make sure the facility is safe, by the time the beach opens for the season.
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Starke County Highway Department May Repair Bass Lake Patio, Amid Ongoing Safety Concerns
Posted on August 15, 2018
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Concerns about the safety of the Bass Lake Beach House patio have led Starke County officials to look into repairing it themselves. The patio was the topic of a heated discussion during Tuesday’s County Park Board meeting. Board member Debbie Mix said the facility’s operator, Callahan Development, LLC, still hasn’t made repairs that have been discussed for several months or longer.
Her biggest concern was the patio’s guardrail. “I’m telling you, you can take that fencing and almost lift it up out of the cement because the cement is cracked,” Mix said. “There’s a hole where the posts go in. The posts are rotted. I mean, even if you wanted to cement them in, the post itself is rotted.” Mix was worried that someone could get hurt, and the county would be liable.
She repeatedly argued that Callahan was in breach of its lease. “They’ve already been given 30-day notice,” Mix said. “They were given a 30-day notice a year ago. And they haven’t done it. So if we’re going to be complacent, then we’re a joke. Then at that point, we might as well not even exist, if we can’t enforce them to do what we were asked to do.”
But County Attorney Marty Lucas wasn’t so sure. He pointed out that Callahan’s representatives previously said they were working on the repairs and that the structure was safe, overall. Lucas didn’t think he had the capability to prove otherwise.
Mix continued arguing that Callahan had breached its contract, even as Board President Roger Chaffins tried to move on to other topics. “I know you’re frustrated about it,” Chaffins said. “But I’ve heard it. I’ve had enough of it. . . . What do you want me to do? You want me to go out there and hold a whip over him and say, ‘You do this right now or I’m going to kick you!’?”
Mix replied, “No, I want a letter saying the contract is broken!”
“Then we get sued, and it costs us thousands of dollars,” Chaffins responded.
“Not if we’re in the right!” Mix said.
Eventually, Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler agreed to have someone install caution tape around the railing. He also offered to have his operations foreman and another construction person take a look and see what they think needs to be done to repair the patio.
Ritzler said that if the job is small, the highway department might be able to do it, with the approval of the county commissioners. The county could then charge Callahan a bill. Lucas felt that solution was more practical than threatening a lawsuit.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
Concerns about the safety of the Bass Lake Beach House patio have led Starke County officials to look into repairing it themselves. The patio was the topic of a heated discussion during Tuesday’s County Park Board meeting. Board member Debbie Mix said the facility’s operator, Callahan Development, LLC, still hasn’t made repairs that have been discussed for several months or longer.
Her biggest concern was the patio’s guardrail. “I’m telling you, you can take that fencing and almost lift it up out of the cement because the cement is cracked,” Mix said. “There’s a hole where the posts go in. The posts are rotted. I mean, even if you wanted to cement them in, the post itself is rotted.” Mix was worried that someone could get hurt, and the county would be liable.
She repeatedly argued that Callahan was in breach of its lease. “They’ve already been given 30-day notice,” Mix said. “They were given a 30-day notice a year ago. And they haven’t done it. So if we’re going to be complacent, then we’re a joke. Then at that point, we might as well not even exist, if we can’t enforce them to do what we were asked to do.”
But County Attorney Marty Lucas wasn’t so sure. He pointed out that Callahan’s representatives previously said they were working on the repairs and that the structure was safe, overall. Lucas didn’t think he had the capability to prove otherwise.
Mix continued arguing that Callahan had breached its contract, even as Board President Roger Chaffins tried to move on to other topics. “I know you’re frustrated about it,” Chaffins said. “But I’ve heard it. I’ve had enough of it. . . . What do you want me to do? You want me to go out there and hold a whip over him and say, ‘You do this right now or I’m going to kick you!’?”
Mix replied, “No, I want a letter saying the contract is broken!”
“Then we get sued, and it costs us thousands of dollars,” Chaffins responded.
“Not if we’re in the right!” Mix said.
Eventually, Starke County Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler agreed to have someone install caution tape around the railing. He also offered to have his operations foreman and another construction person take a look and see what they think needs to be done to repair the patio.
Ritzler said that if the job is small, the highway department might be able to do it, with the approval of the county commissioners. The county could then charge Callahan a bill. Lucas felt that solution was more practical than threatening a lawsuit.
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