The Tofte Township pavilion has long been a favorite spot to have a picnic, family gathering or even weddings, but the building has now fallen into disrepair and will be replaced next summer with a new timber frame structure. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
With an assist from North House Folk School, next summer Tofte town park will have a new pavilion, replacing the current one that is worse for the wear and doesn’t fit the fishing village theme of the township.
Because of vegetation setback regulations, the township will be limited to using the existing pavilion’s 20’x30’ footprint for the new building.
North House Folk School has agreed to cut the timber frame during their spring framing class. Students enrolled in the Cook County High School North House intern class will assist with the project.
The timber frame will have a 12-12- pitch roof with 10-foot open sidewalls.
To give a Scandinavian feel to the building township supervisors discussed adding carving around the beams to match the architecture of the area Lundie homes or to add curved natural bracing to match the fishing museum frame.
The decision to add the artistic carving or bracing will be based on cost, but going with neither is still beautiful and is less expensive. It will also match the timber work at the Bluefin Bay complex.
North House timber frame instructor Peter Henrikson will draw the building plans.
Tofte Township supervisor Craig Horak said the town board has spent the last couple of years budgeting to replace the pavilion. He is currently applying for necessary building permits and will seek a zoning variance. “We hope to have the building up and ready by next July Fourth,” said Horak.
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