Back Beach Swim Pavilion
By the Spring of 2014, due to the ravages of time and concern for the children’s safety, the old swim pavilion had to be demolished. Because of the stated desires coming from many parents and grand parents of campers and back beach users, plans were undertaken that Summer and into the Fall to design a new structure faithful to its historic predecessor and capable of restoring the back beach area to its intended usability and functionality. Drawings were prepared in conformity with the historic restoration criteria, cost estimates were obtained for site preparation and construction, and then the Historical Society Board reviewed with Club Board representatives the exact site location and determined a workable schedule for building the restored structure.
As explained in the OHPS Fall 2014 Newsletter and accompanying letter to “Friends of the Ojibway Camp,” the new pavilion will be situated in the back beach area but more proximate to the swim docks where it will better serve the children. Initial site work was started last Fall, and the plans call for completion of the pavilion structure as the necessary funds are raised from the user community. This would return an integral component of the Ojibway facilities to the capability of serving its historic purposes for the young and eager offspring of our community. It is the place where children come to have fun, learn new skills, form lasting friendships, find a spot of their own amidst the Island heritage, and develop a cohesiveness through programs and activities that form a life-long bond with the Pointe au Baril area.
This Spring sufficient funds were raised to complete the site relocation, grading and preparation, installation of the foundations and building of the platform on top for the continued construction of the pavilion. The OHPS will keep you informed on back beach progress as we move through Summer and into the Fall; and you can always take a hike on the Walking Trails to the back beach area to check out the site and building status. Meanwhile, if you have not yet donated to this Swim Pavilion project (for which a tax receipt is provided), I encourage you to click on this website’s DONATE link, follow the instructions and indicate your desire to support this back beach development effort for the benefit of the younger generation that is our future.