Negaunee-Ishpeming Water Authority plant manager Tony McGrath, left, discusses concerns about a proposed park at the west end of Teal Lake, while Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron, right at podium, looks on during a special Ishpeming City Council meeting on Thursday. (Journal photo by Lisa Bowers)

ISHPEMING — During a special meeting on Thursday, the Ishpeming City Council is on board to potentially create a beach on the western end of Teal Lake.

The Ishpeming Parks and Recreation Commission recommended the council consider the request to begin a fact-finding mission on developing the property near the Al Quaal Recreation Area, which belongs to the city of Ishpeming, but borders Teal Lake, which is in the city of Negaunee.

Ishpeming City Manager Nate Heffron, who is also a member of the Ishpeming Rotary Club, told Ishpeming officials the request is a very preliminary step in the process.

“We have no idea what this is all going to be in the end. What we wanted to do first is to gather as much information as possible to brief the parties and try to move forward from that point,” Heffron told the council. “If we all decide we want to move forward at that point, then we would meet either in a joint committee or separately, however we want to work this out. It’s very fluid, and then we can come up with a project at the end.”

Councilman Karl Lehmann said he was supportive of project in concept but was interested as to how a new beach would benefit Ishpeming’s sister city.

“Why would the city of Negaunee, when you already have a nice beach, need one on the opposite end of the lake?” Lehmann asked.

Heffron said Negaunee’s motive for involvement could be boiled down to the opportunity to work together with a neighboring municipality on the project. A joint project, he added, would likely score better on grant applications than a stand-alone effort.

“From my perspective, from my council’s perspective, and I believe my community. We would like to see more interaction between our two communities on a joint project that would benefit the area,” Heffron said. “We believe this beach would benefit the area for tourism, and would also provide additional recreational opportunities for folks in both communities. That’s the main reason.”

Negaunee Ishpeming Water Authority Manager Tony McGrath, who also spoke during the meeting, asked that he be included in any communications about the potential project.

“That is an area that we looked at a proposed production well head,” McGrath said. “That is the last good spot in this area for a production well for your water supply. So I think the water authority should be kept in communication as to what we are going to do here.”

Heffron agreed that anyone is welcome to submit information opinions or concerns about the project.

“That is what fact-finding is all about,” Heffron said.