Another idea on aquatic center surfaces

Downtown site suggested to spur development

Published Wednesday, January 17, 2007

As beneficial as an aquatic center could be to Fergus Falls, an Underwood man believes the benefits would multiply if it were constructed closer to downtown.

A year-round aquatic center located just west of the old flour mill on Stanton Avenue, behind Service Food along the river, would be ideal, according to Richard Wentzel. Placed in such a prominent location, he said, it could spur new development along Stanton Avenue and the river; compliment the swimming programs of local schools; provide a convenient place for recreational swimming; and attract more conventions and aquatics competitions.

“A city the size of Fergus Falls needs something like this,” Wentzel said. “We only have three months of decent weather for outdoor swimming.”

Wentzel, a self-employed builder, has not made a formal presentation to the DeLagoon Aquatic Center Task Force, he has talked to the mayor and several members of the task force.

“I’ve thought about it,” he said. “But I didn’t think they were looking for new ideas, so I want to get the public talking about it. I certainly would consider (bringing it forward) if I get enough feedback ... I’d hate to see this idea get buried. It would really add to making Fergus Falls an interesting town.”

“My take on it is we should look at everything before a major decision is made,” Jeff Stanislawski, one of the task force members Wentzel discussed his idea with, said. “We should look at it all, no matter how big or small, because you never know where it’s going to lead. The (unfeasible ideas) eventually weed themselves out anyway — too expensive or what not.”

The task force is still reviewing site options and doing background work on whether or not an aquatic center is feasible.

“We continue to look at DeLagoon, but we won’t close the door on other ideas,” Dave Schneeberger, task force chair, said.

While Schneeberger has not heard Wentzel’s proposal personally, volunteers from the Blandin Foundation presented the option of putting a natural aquatic center at the existing Pebble Lake beach earlier this month. The Blandin Foundation’s goal to help strengthen rural Minnesota.

“It’s another option,” Schneeberger said of the group’s suggestion. “We have some questions about it. If there is a water slide going into the lake, will recycled lake water be used? How will it be filtered? Or would we use a catch pool at the bottom using city water? Another issue is the depth of the lake. These are all questions we have to answer.”

Bonestroo Sports, headquartered in St. Paul, has been charged with preparing a proposal with a time line for an aquatic center study. Schneeberger was unsure when a plan might be formulated.