Council washes hands of Lake Tye cable park

After four years of contract negotiations, agreements, extensions and addendums, H3O's cable wakeboard facility slated for Monroe's Lake Tye Park has been put to rest.

The Monroe City Council voted unanimously to deny H3O's request for an extension to its contract on Tuesday, Aug. 23. According to the concessionaire agreement between H3O and the city, H3O had until Aug. 17 to either provide written notice to the city confirming the cable park facility would be open for use by the public no later than Sept. 4, or to request an extension of the deadline. Propullsion Cablepark would have offered wakeboard activities, including equipment rentals at Lake Tye, based on a public-private partnership between the city and H3O.-á

During staff reports, Monroe City Administrator Gene Brazel explained to council that he received an email from H3O on Aug. 17, which conveyed that a Florida-based third party called Aktion Parks was interested in potentially owning and operating the park. The email requested an extension of the Sept. 4 deadline and a meeting between H3O, the city and Aktion to discuss the feasibility.-á

"I have not met with that particular company,GÇ¥ Brazel said. "At this point in time I've received no correspondence from Aktion, other than their name is mentioned in an email from H3O.GÇ¥

Councilmember Kevin Hanford asked for discussion and further action on the matter. He had always been in favor of the park, he said, which could have been a great addition to the city. Unfortunately, he could not support any further extension requests from H3O.

"I still think it's a great idea,GÇ¥ Hanford said. "Unfortunately, H3O just has not come through.GÇ¥

He made a motion to deny H3O's request for an extension, which was seconded by Councilmember Jeff Rasmussen. Rasmussen, long opposed to the idea of a cable park at Lake Tye, said he looked forward to moving on.

Councilmember Jason Gamble talked about his own evolution throughout the process. Initially, he was opposed to the concept, but changed his mind after having had the opportunity to visit a cable wakeboard park while on a family vacation in Florida. Monroe residents had strong feelings about the idea, he said, showing both support and opposition. One thing that became clear during the debate, he said, is that there is a hearty consensus among community members that more needs to be done to enhance Lake Tye Park.

"There is a strong desire to better that park,GÇ¥ Gamble said.

He asked that the city and council continue to seek ways to capitalize on the park's status as a community asset.

"There's so many things we can do there,GÇ¥ Gamble said.

The motion to deny the extension passed 7-0.