Commission approves community events and donations, hears staffing and operations reports

At its May 28 meeting the West Bend Park and Recreation Commission approved a request from Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin to hold a Celiac Awareness Walk in the Regnar Park entertainment area on Sept. 27, 2026, and voted to waive the commission’s rental fees for the initial event while clarifying that city permit fees and insurance requirements still apply.

The commission also accepted multiple community donations and sponsorships for upcoming events and programs. Staff listed amounts and sponsors: $23.50 collected at the archery range, $200 from the Riverside Disc Golf Club, $2,500 from the West Bend Mutual Insurance Company Charitable Fund, $1,250 from the Westbend Company, $1,250 from Ridgeline Construction, and a $5,000 presenting sponsorship from Bank 59 for the 2026 Dream Ninja Mud Run for Kids. Commissioners approved acceptance of the donations by voice vote.

Director Caroline reported summer registration and Aqua Park operations are underway, including lifeguard orientations and large group bookings. She said the parks office has faced online fraud attempts that bypassed a web firewall and that customers will now be required to set up household accounts for Aqua Park ticket purchases. "It's not a big deal. It makes just takes a couple minutes," Caroline said of the new account step; she added the change should produce useful demographics for future planning.

Staff announced Becky Tesman will start as the department's new recreation supervisor; she will work part time initially and begin full time June 15. Staff described her credentials: a master's degree in sports management, roughly ten years of industry experience and certifications in lifeguarding and CPR.

In the trust report commissioners heard the dog park account holds about $63,000 and that annual operating costs run roughly $10,000–$15,000. Commissioners discussed using the funds for a third fenced area, parking improvements and solar lighting and agreed a master plan and volunteer coordination will guide priorities as funds become available.

Commissioners also noted that a prior recreation position had been cut from the city budget. Members warned that reduced staffing can force cancellation of programs and made a case for restoring capacity as demand and programming expand. The meeting adjourned after routine closing remarks.