The Starke County Park Board is ready to accept an insurance settlement for damage to the Bass Lake Beach gate house. The structure was seriously damaged when a pickup truck reportedly crashed into it back in November.
The truck owner’s insurance provider offered the county just over $2,500 in compensation. Starke County Park Board President Roger Chaffins originally felt that amount was too low, after Starke County Building Inspector Terry Stephenson determined the gate house was unsafe and called for its removal.
However, Bass Lake Beach and Campground Assistant Manager Larry Clarich and others disagreed. Clarich told the park board last week that he felt the building could be repaired, and the $2,500 figure should be enough to cover the cost. Based on that recommendation, the park board voted to accept the insurance offer, as long as Stephenson agrees to the plan.
Chaffins suggested that local community members can help with the repairs, after similar efforts were used to save a pavilion that was ordered to be demolished. Clarich said some of the campground users said they’d be willing to help.
