IRON MOUNTAIN — Camping fees at Lake Antoine Park generated $108,000 in revenues this past season, pleasing Dickinson County officials who noted expenses reached 90% of budgeted projections.

During Monday’s county board meeting, Parks Committee Chairman Joe Stevens said it was “all good news” from Antoine.

Park revenues exceeded expectations by about 8%, he reported. That included $3,400 from pavilion rentals.

A new bathhouse is under construction, targeted for a Memorial Day weekend debut. The building’s foundation has been readied, which means work can continue through winter, Stevens said.

“Our (county) crew can start putting the building together,” he said.

Estimated cost of the new restroom and shower facility is $400,000, excluding county labor. Contractors will be paid for plumbing and concrete work.

Plans prepared by GEI Consultants of Iron River call for four showers, including two that comply with Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. A family ADA-compliant lavatory is planned, along with men’s and women’s bathrooms.

Commissioner Barbara Kramer said Kwik Trip was to present a $1,000 donation today to Lake Antoine Park Partners for its Sunset Point Project, which calls for an expansion of the beach area. Day use at the park was up substantially this year, she noted.

LAPP will present its Lights at the Lake free drive-thru event from 4 to 10 p.m. daily from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. Holiday light displays will fill part of the campground, thanks to individuals, businesses and organizations that have reserved sites for a $30 fee.

All of the available sites have been claimed, Stevens said, crediting LAPP and others for helping make the park “a jewel” in the Upper Peninsula.

An open house for Lights at the Lake is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 17. LAPP will also host Kites Over Awesome Lake Antoine on March 8 and 9.

Stevens suggested that grants be pursued for a new garage at the park. The county had sought a Michigan Spark Grant to help fund its bathhouse project but was unsuccessful.

In other action Monday, the board:

— Approved a payment of $72,552 toward a Dickinson County Road Commission paving project on Ball Road in Norway Township. In March 2022, the county had committed $288,000 in federal American Rescue Plan funds to repair Cheese Factory Road in Breen Township, but the cost was lower than expected. Later, the board accepted the commission’s request to redistribute any savings to other road work in the county.

— Learned from Stevens that Lois Ellis plans to step down as executive director of the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance due to a family move. “She’s going to be missed,” Stevens said. The DAEDA executive committee will begin a search for a replacement.

— Heard Commissioner Ann Martin relay news that Megan Buck, director of Dickinson County Library, was honored as Public Librarian of the Year by the Michigan Library Association. Martin, a liaison to the library board, said Buck is “an energetic, forward-thinking leader” and well-deserving of the award. Librarians from across the Upper Peninsula nominated Buck.

— Will move its finance meeting to Thursday, Nov. 30, to avoid a conflict with Thanksgiving. The meeting will be at 10 a.m. in the correctional center conference room.