Life jacket station donated at Lake Pacawa

By Brandi Makuski

PLOVER — A new life jacket loaner station has been installed at the Lake Pacawa boat landing, part of a growing push to improve safety at the popular park following a fatal drowning last summer.

The station was donated by Prime Water Anglers, an organization that promotes the sport of fishing through educational, competitive, and social events. The group donated all materials and labor for the station, with an estimated value of about $750, along with several life jackets.

Public Works Manager Scott Klemm said that PWA reached out to the village to make the offer.

Several additional life jackets were donated by the Plover Fire Department Auxiliary.

The effort follows the Aug. 31, 2024, drowning of 11-year-old Yim Moua, who died while swimming at Lake Pacawa during a family gathering. The incident prompted renewed public concern and calls for improved safety measures around the park’s swimming area.

Village Administrator Steve Kunst told the Board of Trustees on Nov. 20 that his office had received two letters requesting the addition of lifeguards, buoys, or other safety enhancements at the lake.

“There are some potential recommendations… for additional warning [signs] inside of Lake Pacawa, [and] requests for us to have some buoys or lifeguards,” Kunst said at the time. “Staff can take a look at [these requests] and see if we could incorporate something there.”

On May 6, Klemm said the village plans to install several life rings around the park sometime this year as part of those broader safety enhancements.

Jeff Rautio of Prime Water Anglers said the group proposed the new station after building a similar setup at Bukolt Park.

“With the unfortunate drowning that happened last summer, it just made sense this would be a great need,” Rautio said. “It could be used to practically save a life.”

Rautio added that the group also donated the center fishing pier at Bukolt and constructed the others, providing labor and working with sponsors.

Village officials expressed gratitude for the group’s contributions.

“We can’t say thank you enough. There aren’t a lot of folks who do that — we’re really appreciative,” Kunst said.

Plover Fire Chief Mark Deaver agreed.

“You should have one at every boat landing,” he said. “It’s beautiful. I think it’ll last a long time.”

While no additional safety stations are currently planned, Rautio said the group is open to future donations based on community need.