New Assessment Details Major Repair Needs at Historic Hubbard Park Lodge
Hubbard Park Lodge is one of Shorewood’s most recognizable landmarks, known for its wooded Milwaukee River setting, Friday fish fry, Sunday brunch and unmistakable northwoods atmosphere.
Now, a new Village of Shorewood assessment is providing a detailed look at the repairs that may be needed to preserve the nearly 90-year-old building.
The September 21 Shorewood Village Board packet includes a structural engineering report and a broader list of building needs for Hubbard Park Lodge. The Village’s complete planning estimate ranges from approximately $204,900 to more than $566,000, although many of those items remain preliminary and could be completed over several years.
What inspectors found at Hubbard Park Lodge
The review began after June inspections of Hubbard Park Lodge, the Shorewood River Club and the Youth Pavilion identified several concerns. Immediate electrical issues at the lodge were addressed, and the Village hired structural and architectural engineering firm Klein & Hoffman to examine four parts of the lodge more closely.
Exterior support columns
Inspectors found rot near the bottom of three exterior wood columns supporting the caretaker’s apartment. Steel angles connecting the columns to their concrete bases had corroded to the point that the columns were no longer mechanically attached to the piers.
The report says the columns are currently bearing in a stable condition, but recommends repairing their deteriorated lower sections within the next year.
Great hall roof supports
Engineers found gaps at several large wood connections and noted that some older bolts could be turned by hand. However, the report says the gaps and checks in the wood are not currently considered a structural concern.
The recommendation is to inspect the connections, bolts and steel tension rods annually and tighten them if movement is detected.
Temporary supports in the basement
Three telescoping steel supports are currently holding supplemental framing beneath floor joists that were previously cut for plumbing work. The supports appear stable, but they are designed for temporary use rather than permanent construction.
Engineers recommend replacing them with permanent wood columns and new concrete footings within one to two years. Additional investigation may be needed to understand all the framing and plumbing above the supports.
East foundation wall
Sections of the east brick foundation wall have deteriorated because of long-term moisture exposure. Inspectors found soft brick and mortar along with masonry sediment on the basement floor.
The report did not find significant bowing or horizontal cracking that would indicate immediate structural distress. It recommends replacing damaged bricks, repointing the wall and checking underground stormwater drains to determine whether they are contributing to the moisture problem.
How much could the work cost?
The structural engineer estimated three major repairs at approximately:
$50,000 for the exterior column repairs
$15,000 to replace the temporary basement supports
$50,000 for foundation-wall repairs
Those estimates total $115,000 and do not include future inflation or engineering, bidding and construction-management costs.
The Village’s broader building spreadsheet also lists potential electrical, chimney, plumbing, moisture, roof, siding and heating-and-cooling work. Material on heating ducts tested positive for asbestos, with abatement planned for 2027, while testing for suspected mold conditions is still pending.
Is Hubbard Park Lodge closing?
The agenda packet does not announce a closure of Hubbard Park Lodge. Village staff say repair planning will be designed to reduce major effects on lodge operations. The current recommendation anticipates requesting funding for foundation construction in the 2028 budget.
The lodge continues to list its regular Friday fish fry, Sunday brunch and other upcoming events. Families planning a visit should still check directly with the lodge for the latest schedule or any temporary changes.
The separate Youth Pavilion will be closed and addressed later. A local Boy Scout troop that used that building has already found another meeting location. Village staff are also continuing to develop estimates for the River Club and Youth Pavilion.
Why preserving the lodge matters
Constructed around 1937, Hubbard Park Lodge is a Depression-era Works Progress Administration building with massive wood beams, brick masonry, a cathedral-like public hall and a setting that feels surprisingly removed from the surrounding village.
It is also a place where history remains part of daily community life. Families still come for meals, concerts, festivals, riverside walks and celebrations. Read our complete family guide to Hubbard Park Lodge for the history of the building and tips for visiting.
Hubbard Park may also receive a family-friendly addition in the future. The Shorewood Public Library has proposed a StoryWalk at Hubbard Park as a possible 2027 initiative.
A spring river clean-up gathers in front of Hubbard Park Lodge
What happens next?
The Village Board is scheduled to receive the condition-assessment update on Monday, September 21, 2026. No formal action is requested at this meeting.
Village staff are beginning with design work for the east foundation wall while gathering additional estimates and determining how the larger list of repairs should be prioritized. The assessment provides the clearest picture yet of what it may take to preserve one of Shorewood’s most distinctive community spaces for another generation.
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The Shorewood Public Works Committee will consider recommending new and expanded no-right-turn-on-red restrictions near local schools. The proposal is intended to reduce conflicts between turning vehicles and the students, parents, pedestrians and bicyclists using school routes.