Keeping the tennis courts at the Vilas County fairgrounds was supported by the Eagle River city council with a suggestion a new lease be shorter along with an positive response when asked by the Vilas Countyboard chairman if the city wanted to buy the entire fairgrounds property.
Greater Eagle River Tennis Association president Sue Richmond told the council they were “shocked” when they met with the county and were “told to look for other spots” when they told the county it would cost over $200,000 to recontruct the four courts. “We really don't want to move since our current site is easy to find by visitors,” Richmond said. “It wasn't our initiative to move.”
Council member Jerry Burkett supported the courts remain where they are. “We should ask the county to let them remain there since I believe the city is in support of them remaining there if possible,” Burkett said.
Vilas County Board Chairman Ron De Bruyne was at the council meeting and provided information on county issues with the fairgrounds. “We moved the ball parks after a gift of land from Oldenburg on Highway G to increase parking space. It might be a good time to move the courts to Oldenburg Sports Park or the Pines campus. I'm not in favor of extending the lease for another 25 years but could be extended to a shorter length to move them elsewhere,”De Bruyne said.
Burkett asked De Bruyne if the lease could be extended for five years with De Bruyne answering “yes” then asking Burkett if the city wanted to buy the fairgrounds with Burkett answering “yes.”
The city council supported a shorter term lease and to put the possibility of purchasing the fairgrounds property from the county on the next city council agenda.
