Peninsula State Park’s largest campground is set for much-needed upgrades to its failing 58-year-old toilet and shower facilities after funding for the work was approved by the state.
The Wisconsin State Building Commission approved renovation and modernization of two toilet/shower buildings and three flush toilet facilities at Tennison Bay Campground at an estimated cost of more than $3.5 million during its Aug. 6 meeting. The commission approved more than $110 million worth of projects for correctional institutions, buildings in the University of Wisconsin system, a regional Department of Transportation facility, other state parks, and other infrastructure work and upgrades across the state during the meeting.
Tennison Bay Campground contains 188 of the popular Door County state park’s 468 campsites, 97 of which have electricity and two of which are designated for campers with disabilities. Its existing toilet/shower and flush toilet buildings were built in 1967, and park superintendent Eric Hyde said besides needing to be modernized, the facilities are showing signs of disrepair.
Hyde noted tile is falling off the walls and floors and plumbing utilities are deteriorating, including the sewer lines serving the facilities. He also said the state gradually has updated the showers and flush toilets at other campgrounds in the park over the years, and the request from the Wisconsin DNR to the building commission for the Tennison Bay project said the condition of the facilities at Tennison Bay causes visitors to drive to other campgrounds in the park to use more modern facilities.
“It’s definitely a necessity,” Hyde said to the Advocate. “There’s a lot of failing infrastructure going on in those buildings. It’s definitely a project the Legislature and governor knew needed to be done.”
Hyde said the facilities won’t be built completely new from scratch. Instead, the existing buildings will be totally gutted and everything going into them will be brand new, from interior fixtures, finishes, partitions and floors to infrastructure like mechanical and electrical systems, water supply and sanitary sewer lines.
Bids for the project currently are scheduled to be opened in January 2026, with work starting that May and expected to finish substantially no later than May 2027 and completely by June 2027.
The building commission is chaired by Gov. Tony Evers and made up three state senators, three Assembly representatives and a citizen member. State Sen. Andre Jacque, R-New Franken, whose district includes Door County, is one of the commission members.
Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@gannett.com.
MORE: Door County judge rules in Sister Bay’s favor in lawsuit filed by short-term rental owners
MORE:’It’s just not a safe place’: Cana Island recovering from 70 mph winds during Door County storm
FOR MORE DOOR COUNTY NEWS: Check out our website
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Door County state park campground gets OK to renovate 58-year-old toilets and showers
Reporting by Christopher Clough, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Green Bay Press-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
