New poolside bar at lodge OK'd

The city has given approval for a small bar to operate out of the Viking Creek facilities at The Lodge at Whitefish Lake.

The owners of The Lodge requested a conditional use permit for the bar planned at the lodge’s building on the east side of Wisconsin Avenue. The bar is planned for in the pool and grill area that was constructed as part of an expansion of the hotel.

Brian Averill said the Viking Creek facility was constructed in 2010 and then expanded in 2014 to include the pool and a total of 52 guest rooms.

“This [bar] is for our guests,” he said. “They will have to use a key card to get into the building and into the pool.”

He said the bar will operate will a full liquor license. The bar area is 338 square feet with four seats at the bar.

The property is zoned WRB-2, which permits a bar in conjunction with lodging facilities with the issuance of a conditional use permit.