BRAINERD — The Brainerd Parks Board heard hours of comment from lakeshore property owners and supporters of a water ski team as the board considers a new contract amid complaints that the summer practices are disruptive to life on the lake.
The Brainerd Ski Loons is a nonprofit entity, performing free shows in the summer at Lum Park on Rice Lake. The team and Rice Lake property owners were invited to present at the Parks Board meeting Tuesday before the board takes any formal action.
Some lakeshore homeowners are concerned the show has grown too large for the small lake, with multiple high-speed boats creating large wakes. Lakeshore homeowner Phil Philbin said a lack of communication is also contributing to the issues.
"They pass too close to the shoreline, 25 feet off the end of our dock," Philbin said. "My deal is why — and this has been going on since '21, '20 — to date, I have not had a phone call, a knock on the door, somebody passing by saying, 'Hey, I'm a Ski Loon. Can we talk?'"
The ski team members range in age, with some of its younger members, like Reef Sampson, passionately advocating to continue the summer exhibition activity.
"The Brainerd Ski Loons is a great asset to our community. It allows children and adults who do not have access to lakes, boats and equipment to participate and enjoy the wonderful world of water skiing," Sampson said.
The proposed contract includes regulating the practice area further away from shore and establishing a practice and show schedule, as well as requiring third-party vendors to take a boating safety course, to allow the team to continue operating at the park.
