The Starke County Commissioners have approved moving forward with discussions on financing electrical infrastructure improvements at the Bass Lake Beach campground.
During Monday’s meeting, representatives presented plans developed by United Consulting to upgrade the campground’s electrical system, including the installation of individual electrical meters at campsites.
The project’s estimated cost could be as high as $500,000, although officials hope competitive bidding will bring that figure down “quite a bit”.
Under the proposed financing arrangement, the county would cover the initial cost, with the Park Board repaying half over a 10-year period.
The plans also identify three additional campsites within the existing campground and provide for potential electrical expansion into currently undeveloped areas. Commissioners also discussed the possibility of building individual electricity into the campsites, in order to keep site rental the same and charge for electricity separately.
It was shared that among the other improvements that have been made to the campground, this is the final major infrastructure project that the Park Board is seeking to do at the campground.
Representatives hope to seek bids in the coming months, with construction potentially taking place during the campground’s off-season.
Commissioners voted to allow the proposal to move forward to the County Council for financing discussions. The vote did not constitute final approval of the project.
