Cadott Village Board; New swing set serves more people in the community

Brian Dulmes, Cadott Lions Club, requested approval for the club to purchase a swing for wheelchair users and a swing for parents to ride with their children in Riverview Park. The Cadott Village Board members approved the request April 4. Photo by Julia Wolf

By Julia Wolf

“A couple of years ago, we put in the new playground, a playground for everyone, but we want to expand on that a little bit,” said Brian Dulmes, member of the Cadott Lions Club.

He explained there is one group that still is unable to take advantage of the play area – those in wheelchairs. That’s why Dulmes approached the Cadott Village Board during a regular meeting April 4, to request permission for the Lions club to purchase a new swing set for Riverview Park, which would allow more people to enjoy the area.

“It’ll take a child or adult wheelchairs,” said Dulmes. He says there could also be a pull-chain added, so adults or stronger children can get themselves swinging.

Dulmes says the club would like to put up one swing set frame, with a wheelchair platform swing on one end and an emotion swing on the other end.

The emotion swing has space for an adult to sit on one side, and an infant or young child to face them, eye to eye, while they swing.

“The kids really like seeing mom or dad swinging with them,” said Dulmes.

Board member Bart Chapek asked where they would like to place the swing set. Dulmes says the club is willing to work with the village to determine where to place the set and thought it would be nice near other play equipment, so families can keep each other in view.

“I think it’d be a good addition,” said Randy Kuehni, board member.

Board members voted to allow the swing set in the park and asked that the Lions club work with the public works department to determine the best placement.

The board also took action on the old concession stand in Riverview Park. Clerk Sandy Buetow says she heard the Cadott Historical Society may be interested in the building, but was unable to get in touch with anyone from the organization.

Cadott Youth Sports is putting a new storage and concession stand building on the area, and the old structure needs to be removed, before any construction can start.

Kuehni says other people have expressed interest in the old building, as well.

“If someone will take it, it’s better than destroying it,” said Chapek.

If the historical society does not want the building, members decided the public should have a chance at it. Board members also agreed that whoever takes the building is responsible for the cost and plan for moving it, within the required timeframe. Those interested in the old concession stand building should contact the village clerk, at 715-289-4282.

Discussing what the new concession stand will look like, Ben Folczyk, Cadott Youth Sports, said he checked into the prices for wood siding vs. metal siding. Metal came in at a lower price.

Folczyk says metal also is lower maintenance and is what he would prefer.

Board president Anson Albarado says he prefers the look of a wood building.

“I had a wood-sided house and that’s a lot of maintenance,” said Chapek, adding it required caulking and sanding, and didn’t hold up as well. “I wouldn’t do it again, personally.”

Kuehni agreed low-maintenance seems like the way to go, matching colors with the other nearby buildings in the park.

“I think you can make a steel building look nice,” said Kuehni.

Board members voted for metal siding for the new concession stand, with six in favor (Chapek, Kuehni, Russ Falkenberg, Terry Licht, Les Liptak and Eric Weiland) and one opposed (Albarado). Cadott Youth Sports will work with the public works department, to match the colors with the surrounding buildings.

Folczyk says he believes he will have to take out five trees in that area, as he thinks they will get into the roots of the fourth tree and the fifth tree will be too close to the building. He asked the board if the village would take care of the stump removal.

Rolly Tichy, public works, said he thinks they can get the stumps out with a backhoe, since grinding would still leave roots in the way of construction. He says he might have to find someone with a bigger backhoe, if they are not able to get them out.

“We can give it a shot,” said Tichy. Folczyk also talked about plans for old concrete removal, power supply, and water and sewer connections for the site with the board.

Gary Rykal also approached the board, on behalf of Whispering Pines Golf Course, to request assistance in extending the ATV/UTV route from Cadott to the golf course, about a mile extension.

In order to do that, Kuehni says the county needs to lower the speed limit to 35 mph along that stretch of road. After that, Kuehni says the municipalities can open up the roadway to ATV/UTV traffic.

Rykal says their efforts to get the route extended seem to be going in circles and they aren’t making much progress.

“We’re willing to do all the legwork we possibly can,” said Rykal.

Albarado said he would contact Brian Kelley, Chippewa County highway commissioner, to request lowering the speed limit, but cautioned changes may take a while.

Kuehni also reminded everyone that County Hwy. X is split down the center of the road with the Town of Sigel, so the municipalities will have to work together.