Campground nears completion

By RICHARD JENKINS

[email protected]

SAXON, Wis. - There's a light at the end of the tunnel for the rebuilding of Saxon Harbor, following its destruction in the July 2016 storm, as work on the campground nears completion.

Iron County Forestry and Parks Administrator Eric Peterson said major construction on the campground project has been completed and work is continuing on the final items.

"We are down to paving, seeding and mulching, they have some work to do in the bathroom ... and then little finishing up items," Peterson said last week. "There's nothing major that we're waiting to accomplish."

One of the biggest unknowns with the project, according to Peterson, is when Bayfield Electric will connect the campground to the power lines.

Although work is somewhat behind the substantial completion target of June 30, Peterson said he doesn't expect the campground opening to be delayed as the punch-list items planned to be done after substantial completion can be done while the other work continues.

"It's really close to wrapping up," he said.

No official date has been set for when the campground will open, according to Peterson, as the campground can't open until the grass takes hold.

"It's going to be based on grass growing, quite honestly. We're going to have to get grass growing and get at least a couple of mowings in to make sure it's established," Peterson said. "Otherwise, once people start utilizing the new campground, we're never going to be able to get it going."

He said the reservation system also won't open until after the official campground opening due to the uncertain nature of the exact opening date.

Peterson said Saxon Harbor's marina, which opened last season, continues to run smoothly.

The webcam broadcasting live from the harbor is also online now. Peterson said a link to the webcam will be on the forestry department's website. A link was also shared on the Saxon Harbor Facebook page.