The Gillett City Council on Thursday delayed its plan to seek funding for a trailhead facility at the base of the Nicolet Trail, deciding to wait a year to have a better handle on its design, cost and long-term upkeep.
The city has been working on a grant application, due April 15, to request an estimated $400,000 from the Department of Natural Resources to cover the project.
According to design proposals, the trailhead facility would include a computerized kiosk featuring trail information, vending machines, picnic tables, restrooms and shower facilities. Other improvements would include an asphalt parking area, signs, security cameras and landscaping.
The Nicolet State Trail runs 89 miles through Oconto, Florence and Forest counties and the Nicolet National Forest. The trail is popular for ATV use in the summer and fall, with the favorite starting point at Zippel Park in Gillett. The trailhead facility is proposed on city-owned property on Railroad Street and North Richmond Avenue, close to Zippel Park and the Nicolet Trail Campground.
“I think having (a trailhead) here in Gillett is a huge asset because we need to bring tourism in, in order to bring money into our community,” said alderperson Rick Raatz, who is helping to prepare the application.
Greg Sekela, a town of Gillett resident assisting with the grant application, recommended the city take a cautious approach.
“We don’t have all the costs. We don’t know what it’s really going to take, and if you want to wait a year, I don’t think it’s going to hurt your chances of getting it,” he said.
Sekela said Gillett is perfectly situated to serve as the trailhead — there is none on the trail now — because it’s at the southern entrance to the trail.
“If we make the application, we have a good chance of getting (a grant), if we do it right,” he said.
Raatz said delaying the application could mean another community wins the rights to the trailhead, but Sekela said this was unlikely.
“(The DNR) would like nothing better to have this at the base of the Nicolet Trail,” he said.
Mayor Irene Drake said having extra bathrooms would be a plus, especially for large events at Zippel Park. The restrooms and showers at the trailhead would also be available for campers at Nicolet Trail Campground, which opened in 2013. The campground has portable toilets only.
The grant might cover all construction costs, but the city would then be responsible for long-term upkeep, Drake said.
“The more ‘green’ we make this building, the less maintenance cost we’ll have in the long run,” Raatz said.
Public Works Director Tim Christensen, whose department would be responsible for the day-to-day upkeep of the facility, said the department’s workload would not increase significantly, so labor costs would be minimal.
“I think your biggest cost is going to be electricity and water,” he said.
Alderperson Tod Anderson said the city would be smart to wait a year.
“Boy, it’d be nice to get it done and get it in and have the first stab at it, but … maybe we are better served by making a very good plan, looking at all the items we can put in and a green initiative so we can compete for a total package,” he said.
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