Closure of Lake Lawn Lodge would cut 300 jobs

DELAVAN, Wis. — City leaders say closing a southern Wisconsin lake resort would eliminate nearly 300 jobs and harm the local economy.

Employees of the Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan have received notices from the state about likely layoffs.

The 258-acre resort overlooking Delavan Lake was under foreclosure and last week was auctioned to AnchorBank of Madison, which held a $34 million judgment against the owners. Delavan Resort Holdings bought the property in 2004 for about $33 million.

AnchorBank has plans to close the resort if it can't find a buyer by the time it takes ownership in early December.

Delavan Mayor Mel Nieuwenhuis tells the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that closing the resort would have a huge impact on the community.