One of the improvements done by the Lake Antoine Park Partners was building a beach wall at the park.

IRON MOUNTAIN — Aging water lines at Dickinson County’s Lake Antoine Park are falling apart, putting this year’s camping season in jeopardy, the county board learned Monday.

“It’s not looking good,” Controller Brian Bousley said. “The best case, maybe, push it back a month or two.”

Bousley said investigation is needed before deciding on a project, but the park will definitely stay open for swimming and day visits. A meeting was planned today with Coleman Engineering of Iron Mountain.

The problem was discovered as park manager Eric Robinson began testing the pressure, only to encounter leaks. Lines installed more than 50 years ago are deteriorating, Bousley said.

No cost was discussed, though Bousley guessed it could be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

“My thought is do it right and be done with it,” said Commissioner Joe Stevens, who chairs the parks committee. “The pipes are just shot.”

The campground advertises 90 sites, including 57 with both water and power and the rest with electricity only. The county last year invested more than $100,000 in electrical upgrades and added new water lines for a handful of expanded sites.

The current problem is due to older lines that feed the system, Bousley said. “The 4-inch mains are falling apart,” he said.

Bousley noted a project could potentially be paid through the American Rescue Plan Act, which allows for certain infrastructure work. Dickinson County stands to receive up to $4.9 million in federal aid under the legislation President Joe Biden signed into law in March.

Also mentioned was replacing the park’s bathrooms, though nothing has been determined.

In other action, the board:

— Received assurances from Susie Fox, secretary for the Kiwanis Ski Club, that options for funding an elevator at the Pine Mountain ski jump are under review. The board last month voted 3-2 to hire Gundlach Champion of Iron Mountain for design services at cost not to exceed $19,500. Chairman Henry Wender opposed it, as no ski club representatives were present. Fox thanked the board for its support and Wender said he was satisfied the club is committed to seeing the project through. The elevator is needed to meet standards for international competitions.

— Heard Commissioner Joe Stevens say a meeting is needed with Dickinson County Healthcare System to help define the county’s hospital responsibilities. DCH is awaiting receipt of a $16.9 million federal loan approved in March. Once accomplished, the county’s deed for the hospital property on U.S. 2 will be put in the name of DCH as collateral. “We need to know exactly legally where we stand,” Stevens said. A scheduled DCH update Monday from Chuck Nelson, hospital CEO, and Margaret Minerick, hospital board chair, was postponed because the loan has not yet closed.

— Heard Commissioner John Degenaer Jr. say plans will proceed for the county’s Labor Day weekend fair, including a carnival, with guidance from the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department. The carnival area may be expanded to allow for more spacing. Degenaer also suggested, in light of the Antoine situation, that vacationers consider the 166 camping sites at the fairgrounds in Norway.

— Learned from Bousley that bids are being sought for construction of a hangar at Ford Airport, measuring 100 feet by 160 feet. The county plans to lease the hangar to a commercial interest while adding office space. A contract may be awarded June 14, if the price is acceptable. The cost for a smaller hangar built earlier for a similar lease was about $600,000, but Bousley noted costs have gone up substantially during the pandemic.

— Approved a request from EAA Chapter 439 to host Ford Airport Days at the county hangar Sept. 17 and 18.

— Will allow Judge Thomas Slagle to post and fill an upcoming vacancy in the probate court office.

— Approved a request from Lake Antoine Park Partners to host “Lights at the Lake” Dec. 3-19. Campsites will be decorated by businesses and organizations for drive-thru viewing.