Two weeks ago, the Split Rock Park Visitor's Center (also known as the bathhouse) received an upgrade in the form of a roof. (pictured above)
A few years ago, a request to re-mortar the bathhouse brought up a thorny issue: the building was on the National Historic Registry, but weather was giving the building a beating. The two wings were open to the weather, the roof on the main portion was beginning to show decay, and improve- ments were not lasting long.
The council realized improvements were necessary, and voted to install a roof over not only the main portion, but over the two wings as well. In its early years, the wings had been the changing areas for visitors, who would then swim in the river. The wings have been closed off to the public for many years and sat unused.
Whether the building remains on the Registry is still to be seen, but the roof was designed to be low-impact and to blend in with its surroundings while providing protection to the structure.
The bathhouse is enjoying renewed interest as a Visitor's Center. Future plans for the wings are still being developed, but may include storage, or, with the addition of lights, as an area for mem- orabilia and history to be displayed.
Kirby Lowe Construction was hired by the city this past summer to install the roof, but supply issues prevented the project from being completed in September.
The Split Rock Park Visitor's Center is open and staffed from Memorial Day to Labor Day each summer.
