New bathrooms at Ray’s Beach

Construction is at a point where bathrooms are built and septic has been installed, interior painting has been completed and fixtures ready to install. With winter weather setting in construction has been suspended  and will resume in the spring. The new facility will be ready for use by May 1st 2022.  We are still accepting donations to help offset the cost of this project. 

Thank you to all who have donated we appreciate your donations. 

David Staber Lafayette Town Chairman

Hi my name is David Staber I’m Town Chairman of Lafayette Township in Chippewa County. Ray’s Beach, the only free public beach on Lake Wissota is in need of new bathrooms with running water and flush toilets. Ray’s Beach was built back in 2006 on land that was purchased from Xcel Energy in 1996 on land that was high sand banks and not easily accessible. After 10 years of negotiations with the Canadian Railroad we secured two crossings to the beach from the Highway X wayside. Pit toilets were installed as part of the construction project and have outlived their use-full life.

With more people staying home and wanting close by activities Rays Beach usage has increased dramatically and one of the many lessons from COVID places need to be clean and sanitized. That function is tough to accomplish without proper facilities.

The Lafayette Town Board awarded a contract to replace the Bathrooms to Brown Builders with construction to start in early September 2021 with the goal of having everything completed by May 1st of 2022. The budget for this project is $200,000. 00 with the goal of fund raising for at least 50% of the project with the balance coming from ARPA COVID funds.

The new facility will have flush toilets, running water and a small concession area for nonprofit groups to use during the busy summer months.

Donations to this project would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you