A log cabin used by Tomah Boy Scouts in Buckley Park has been around over 70 years.

There are adult leaders in Tomah’s Boy Scout circle that want to see the cabin remain a viable meeting location.

Discussion of the log cabin is on the Oct. 30 Parks & Recreation Commission agenda.

At a commission meeting earlier this year, it was noted the log cabin was deteriorating, a victim of age. A lease agreement between the city and Scouts through 2009 that stipulates any costs for improvements are incurred by the Scouts. The city pays utility costs.

At a July meeting, the commission approved a motion to have Tomah Building Inspector Shane Rolff inspect the structure. Rolff said he provided his report to Parks & Recreation Director John Laudon.

According to the report provided by Rolff, the cabin’s rafters are:

u Substantially bowed in several areas and insufficient structurally to carry a snow load at the distances they are currently installed at.

u Steel cables installed as lateral wall restraints appear to be preventing any further spreading of the load bearing walls caused by lack of insufficient collar ties.

u Log ceiling rafters are notched at the ends (load bearing points) and insufficient to carry the current roof load, specifically any subtantial snow load.

Rolff’s conclusion, he recommends the building not be used until the roof is repaired for structural stability.

The Scouts have also retained legal counsel from Jay Carmichael to clarify terms in the lease agreement.

But roof repair is something being explored by proponents to keep the cabin standing.

Scott White said installation of a new roof is being explored and along with other Scout leaders, feels the cabin should be preserved. White, 26, earned an Eagle Scout as a member of Tomah Boy Scout Troop 72.

White is part of a committee that has been busy making repairs to the log cabin since mid-summer when the fate of the building appeared uncertain.

“Since the last Parks & Rec meeting, many contractors have been to the log cabin and expressed willingness to donate time and materials to replace the roof,” White said, adding that other offers have been made to donate time for repairs to the building.

At the July meeting, it was noted that on average approximately 65 scouts and adult leaders use the building each month.

White said volunteers mowed grass to enhance the exterior. White said a “generous” donation helped pay to insulate between shutters and windows, around a fireplace and to install better insulated doors to reduce drafts.

White said the primary reason for a $1,200 utility bill for the log cabin is because the Scouts keep the thermostat at 55 degrees so water pipes in the building do not freeze.

In past years money from the Andres Fund helped pay to shut the water off at the street and to vacuum water from the pipes and the heat was shut off.

But when the Scouts did not receive Andres money the thermostat was set at 55 degrees to keep pipes from freezing and breaking, which would damage the building.

Cash donations to offset repair costs can be sent to: Troop 72, c/o Scoutmaster Paul Ueeck, 1514 McLean Ave., Tomah. The Parks & Recreation Commission meets at 5:45 p.m. in the municipal building council chambers.

Other agenda items include:

u Acting on an ordinance to regulate use of snowmobiles.

u An update from the individual responsible for wild flower plantings at the Little Red Schoolhouse.