THE BRIGHT SIDE-Lisa Otto

The lagoon status and the future of the lagoon slips.
The lagoon, as it is called near the north end of the lake, is not really a lagoon at all.  It’s merely the water held back by the dam wall and gates that goes from the bridge over Wrigley Drive to the gates and dam wall itself. There are several issues about the lagoon.  It isn’t just the boat slip piers, the size of the boats, and the buildup of weeds and debris. Water levels have dropped six inches, or maybe slightly more and this is affecting the lagoon in a big way. Bigger boats are hitting the finger piers, pushing them into the adjacent slips. When slip renter’s boats are not in the slips it leaves them empty for random boaters to utilize their spots, to get some lunch or whatever is on their agenda.

Some of these ‘visiting’ boats are too big for the slips. This causes major damage to the already dilapidated piers. The harbor master is also struggling to find any pier company that wants to work in the lagoon, due to its small size and therefore maneuvering difficulties with the large equipment required to get the job done right. With the Dam project on the agenda, the removal of all finger piers was expected earlier, but the GLLC (Geneva Lake Level Corporation) has postponed the Dam repairs. The GLLC is looking at cutting back on the project size to bring costs down. Without the project pushing the city to do something with the lagoon, the problem remains.

The harbor master has voiced concerns about the lagoon and the need for improvements and coming up with a plan. City officials are weighing their options. The city wants to provide quality slips to renters but doesn’t want to spend more than what the slips generate. The lagoon slips bring in about $24,000 annually, compared to the $30,000 going out for maintenance, and maybe even more if the lagoon was to be maintained properly. The harbor master shared several options for the lagoon’s future. The lagoon finger piers could be repaired, replaced, or removed. The repairs would most likely turn into a complete rebuild due to the condition of them. Replacing the piers has a number of options. The piers could be built the same as currently there, every other pier could be removed making slips bigger and easier to assess, or the piers could be replaced with floating piers which are less maintenance and are made to handle the winter freeze and spring thaw more easily.

The pier issue needs a plan but that still relieves some of the dredging and regular debris removal that needs to be done regularly. Dredging was done back in 2013, costing the city approximately $55,000.  Amazingly, and unbelievably, the cost is currently said to be $300,000. The Towers has slips along the north side of the lagoon, sharing the lagoon with the city. The city has discussed the issues with the Towers hoping to share some of the cost. The Towers was not interested and as of right now are not committed to sharing any costs. With the lagoon piers being in such bad shape and at the point of being unsafe the piers, harbor, and lakefront committee has recommended approval of Gage Marine adding the lagoon piers to the gas pier seasonal removal schedule at a cost of $6,800. With city council’s final approval, the finger piers will be removed this season, however a spring installation remains questionable.

If the city does not replace the slip finger piers, then the Towers can be left to fend for its own slips, dredging or whatever, which would be a nice return on the resident’s failure to step up when needed.

Pearce’s Farm Stand is ready for fall.
The hay-bale jungle gym is ready for the kids to explore, climb, and hide in. The wonderful Mum flowers are in abundance in every color and size. Corn is available for a bit longer and pumpkins galore are just about ready for Halloween. The annual corn maze is ready and open daily. The maze this year is an intricate one that looks to be a fun challenge to conquer.  Remember kids, don’t panic if you get lost in the maze.  Simply reach out, put your left hand against the bushes and then keep it there as you walk along.  It doesn’t matter which direction you walk in.  If you keep in touch with the bushy wall for your entire walk you will eventually come out of the maze, no matter how long or complicated it might be.

Of course, the vegetable stand is still filled with fresh goodness and the homemade treats are always delicious and available. Don’t forget the baked goods made fresh daily including their famous apple cider donuts.