The South Haven City Council is moving ahead with the establishment of a lifeguard program after hearing a presentation on its options Monday night.

Discussions about bringing back the lifeguard program, about 20 years after it went dormant, have been going on for well over a year with the biggest concern being the cost. At Monday’s regular council meeting, Nate Geinzer with Double Haul Solutions told members there will be a variety of challenges, including funding, staffing, and logistics. But where’s there’s a will, there’s a way.

“The purpose of our discussion tonight is to show you that if the council wanted to move forward, it can be done, and what we’ve put in front of you is our recommendations on how it can be done and how it can be done successfully,” Geinzer said.

Geinzer said Long Haul’s recommendation is to start with a foundational stage now and seeking a funding strategy. That would move on to a Phase 1 for 2026-2027, with basic lifeguard coverage at South Beach and hiring a chief lifeguard. That would lead to future phases with expanded staff, a full season-long commitment to both South Beach and North Beach, and securing a stable funding source.

Potential funding options for the lifeguard program include using beach parking fees or even establishing an assessment, which council members don’t want.

In the end, the council voted to do just as Long Haul recommended to get started by instructing staff to pursue a funding strategy and work to implement a lifeguard program by Memorial Day of 2026.

The cost for Phase 1 is estimated to be $482,000.