Neshotah Beach Pavilion and Concessions Building. PC: Fox 11 Online
TWO RIVERS, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — The Two Rivers City Council has delayed renovation plans for the concession stand at Neshotah Beach.
The decision comes after the Wisconsin Department of Administration declined the city’s grant application for the project.
The grant would have covered $255,000, roughly 50%, of the project’s total cost.
Instead, Two Rivers will reapply for the grant next year.
In a response to the decision, city manager Kyle Kordell, says this is what responsible city government looks like:
From the very beginning, we were clear about one thing: the renovation would only move forward if at least 50% of the cost was covered by outside funding sources, including State grants and Room Tax dollars through Explore Two Rivers. That approach was intentional and grounded in a commitment to protect local taxpayers.
With the State grant not awarded, that funding threshold is no longer met.
Despite strong community interest in improving the facility (with more than 60% of survey respondents supporting the renovation) City staff recommended pausing the renovation project under these conditions.
Last night, on Monday, May 4, 2026, the City Council provided consensus to defer any investment into the concessions stand building in 2026. Instead, the $255,000 that had been planned for this project will be carried forward to help offset capital spending in 2027. This keeps us financially flexible if unplanned infrastructure costs emerge in 2026 and better positions us to revisit the renovation project if future grant opportunities become available.
If external funding brings the project back to at least 50% grant-supported, we will be in a much stronger position to move forward with the renovation.
The takeaway here is straightforward. We developed a plan openly, with community input. We set clear financial conditions for moving forward. Those conditions were not met, so we are adjusting accordingly.
Last October, the city approved a plan to charge for parking in lots 2 and 3 during ten of the season’s busiest days this year.
That money will go toward beach operations and maintenance.
The possible renovations in the project include:
- Doubling restroom capacity and adding two Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible unisex restrooms and family changing rooms
- Upgrading the concession area for an improved cooking line and improved concession operations
- New durable finishes, epoxy flooring, upgraded plumbing and electrical systems, and new cabinetry and fixtures
- Potential upgrades to the adjacent picnic shelter, including retractable doors or screens and ceiling-mounted heaters, extending its usability into spring and fall
The project was slated to start later this year if the grant was approved by the state.
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