Laketown Township has again voted in favor of installing EZ Beach Stairs at Laketown Beach, but the price and construction timeline has changed.
The Board of Trustees voted in April to work with Lakeshore Concepts to install EZ Beach Stairs, replacing a set of wooden stairs removed in 2025. The vote called for the stairs to be “substantially complete” by Memorial Day. If not, the municipality would rebid the project to see if other companies could more affordably install the stairs.
During a workshop meeting May 6, however, trustees voted 3-1 to authorize Township Manager Stephanie Fox to enter into a contract with Lakeshore Concepts for installation this fall — including a 7% cost increase from the original bid of $196,500.
The new contract covers up to $210,255 with installation after Labor Day.
Trustees Mark Timmerman and Mike Koeman and Treasurer Jim Johnson voted in favor of authorizing the contract, while Supervisor Steven Ringelberg voted against and Clerk Jim Delaney was absent.
Ringelberg wanted to honor the vote to rebid the project, specifically for EZ Beach Steps, if Lakeshore Concepts was unable to install them by Memorial Day — but those in favor said the issue has taken long enough and pointed out the bid was recommended in the first place by the Laketown Township Parks Commission.
“We already voted on this,” Koeman said. “Can we just please move this forward? The longer we take, the longer it’s going to take to get the beach stairs (and) people want them done.”
“I think (the commission) spent an incredible amount of time researching different options for stairs,” Johnson said. “I trust (them).”
EZ Beach Steps were invented by Lisa Spaugh of West Olive. Her creation is adjustable, able to move up or down as a dune changes over time.
The beach’s stairs from the top of the dune through the “bowl” — a steep drop with a flat bottom amidst the dune — were removed for safety in April 2025. The beach is still open, but is only accessible by climbing through the bowl. The return trip, officials advise, is “a difficult walk” in soft sand, with no handrail or other assistance.
— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Laketown Twp. will pay more for fall install of EZ Beach Stairs
Reporting by Mitchell Boatman, Holland Sentinel / The Holland Sentinel
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