The Woodlands Township is studying several options for upcoming renovations to Northshore Park.

The township board of directors allocated $1.2 million in the 2016 budget to renovate the 30-year-old park and was presented with three concept options during the Oct. 28 board of directors meeting.

“For each one of these concepts, the main differences are how you select what to do with the pavilion, what to do with the restrooms and what to do with the playground,” Burditt Consultants President Charles Burditt said.

The first concept option would provide the most additional parking spaces—up to 156 from 105 existing spaces. Another concept option involves relocating the volleyball court into the northwest corner of the park into an undeveloped wooded area.

The three options for the park’s restrooms include updating the facility, renovating it extensively at both ends, or building new restrooms.

The majority of the board preferred the concept option that stays in budget at $1.2 million and includes the additional parking and basic updates to the restrooms. However, several directors had questions or concerns regarding issues such as construction costs for the restrooms and possible disruptions to a nearby neighborhood caused by noise and lights at the park if the pavilion were rotated.

Questions about the pavilion’s use were raised during the meeting as well. Some wondered why more entertainment-focused events are not held at Town Green Park instead, given Northshore’s proximity to homes.

“The difference between Town Green Park and this park is you have a family environment,” Parks and Recreation Director Chris Nunes said. “It builds that family atmosphere as opposed to Town Green, which I believe is a large festival site. I think Northshore is very cherished in our community because a number of community events have been held there. Having that raised platform is important for those types of events.”

The construction of a permanent boathouse is also under discussion between the township and two rowing clubs in The Woodlands. The clubs currently store equipment in shipping containers at Northshore Park and are working with the township on designs for the facility, which will be funded through capital campaigns.

“Our hope is we’ll have enough room to grow and expand to offer rowing to more of the community,” said Dee Hotop, coach for the Rowing Club of The Woodlands.

The renovation will be completed in two phases, but the board of directors still has to vote on which renovation option to select at a future directors meeting.