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Study: Interest for aquatic center strong
Published Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Interest exists for an aquatic center in Fergus Falls — but only if properly outfitted.
That and other findings revealed in a recent park and recreation survey were reviewed during a post-survey city council workshop Tuesday. The survey was conducted via mail last fall by Leisure Vision/ETC Institute, Olathe, Kan. Of the 2,000 surveys sent out, 701 were returned; 300 was the goal.
Respondents showed definite interest in an aquatic facility, with a combination indoor/outdoor facility leading the way at 57 percent; 35 percent support an outdoor family aquatic center; 29 percent, an indoor family aquatic center; and 35 percent said neither was needed.
But an ordinary cement box pool isn’t going to cut it; two-thirds of households polled said they would use a new aquatic center if it included features most important to them.
“The only way an aquatic center is going to be successful,” City Council Member Rick Wilson said, “is to have the amenities people asked for” such as water slides, lap lanes, zero depth section for infants and toddlers.
High usage would be required to pay for it, Parks and Recreation Manager Rick Terway noted. The aquatic center task force had postponed meeting until survey results were in.
The city’s many parks receive a lot of use and earned a good satisfaction rating.
“That’s good,” Terway said. “That’s what we want.”
A need for a wide range of parks and recreational facilities was indicated by the survey. Asked how well these facilities meet their needs, five facilities were cited as completely meeting the needs of more than 40 percent of the responding households: Adult softball fields, 55 percent; library, 54 percent; youth soccer fields, 47 percent; youth baseball and softball fields, 44 percent; and small neighborhood parks, 41 percent.
“How many (of those surveyed) actually use the facilities,” City Council Member Tim Jensen said.
“This was a random survey,” Terway said. “Because the returns were so high, it’s a reflection on the community as a whole, not the users.”
On a positive note, more than half — 57 percent — of those surveyed are somewhat or very willing to support a tax increase to fund programs and facilities most important to their households. About 60 percent said they would vote to pass a referendum.
As the results were reviewed, “Keep in mind that this is a community attitude survey,” City Administrator Mark Sievert said. “It’s not a tell-all, want-all kind of thing … It’s going to be used to put together a comprehensive plan.”
The park and recreation survey will become part of the comprehensive park and recreation plan, which will make up the city’s overall comprehensive plan.
The results, City Council Member Randy Synstelien said, “gives a flavor of what’s important to the citizens of Fergus Falls. It’s a lot to digest. It can’t be handled in isolation. We can’t draw on one question and make a conclusion.”
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by Clara (anonymous) on February 13, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It would be interesting to know if the survey included information on an admission fee. Seems like Fergus people would like to have all kinds of new stuff, i.e. school, water park, ice arena but they never want to step up the plate to actually PAY for something.
Remember how the Bigwood Event Center was shot down with the 'vote no' campaign? People were not willing to pay a tax to support that building even though it has proven to be a true asset to the City.
I have a hard time believing that a water park would get referendum support but not a new school. But maybe residents see seasonal recreation a higher priority than education.
Posted by bigdaddy (anonymous) on February 13, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
First off, I respect your opinion, but I disagree greatly. A new indoor/outdoor facility would not only benefit the city from a revenue generating standpoint, it also would lend to attracting more people to relocate to the community. I grew up in the Breck/Wahp area and both towns equally support two pools. Breckenridge's pool renovation plan was aggressive, and not supported by all the community, yet it is on track to recoup its investment, and make a substantial contribution to the cities bottom line shortly. Another point to ponder is that many young families and most of the middle to lower class incomes cannot afford to have a lake home. With Pebble lake in question each year, Fergus could use this facility. I love the Y, but swimming only inside,especially in nice weather, is no fun. In my opinion I think long term its a win-win for the city, as long as all the numbers are attainable and yes, knowing what the admission would be! Keep em honest Clara!
Posted by notsocommonsense (anonymous) on February 13, 2008 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What is the average length of an outdoor pool season in Minesota, 3 months max? Good luck paying for the pool, up keep, insurance, staffing etc.. Doesn't look like a bottom line helper to me.
Posted by toad3 (anonymous) on February 13, 2008 at 4:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
NDSU did a survey years ago and they came up with 67 days of usable days for an outdoor pool or lake cottage. I think an indoor pool and include a free walking track around the pool for all citizens to use. Maybe seniors would go for an indoor pool if they had a walking track to exercise indoors.
Posted by cheif (anonymous) on February 13, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The problem I have is that there's never outcome. All they do is think for 3+ years and theres no outcome. We need to get it together and get everything planned out and build this center.
Posted by Newshound (anonymous) on February 14, 2008 at 6:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
A downside to this survey method is the potential that many who say they would support a tax increase do NOT pay any taxes!!
An indoor facility makes sense, but the price will be high. A prudent city will line up and assure dependable revenue sources before plunging into this.
Fergus Falls is a marvelous little community and this would certainly add to it's charm, but NOT if it becomes a financial burden.
What the town REALLY needs is a decent supermarket, but I don't see that happening very soon.
Posted by Clara (anonymous) on February 14, 2008 at 8:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Newshound: Bulls eye on the decent supermarket comment! Why is it that fresh fish is only available during lent?
Posted by mytwocents (anonymous) on February 17, 2008 at 12:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with you 100% Chief!!!I believe an INDOOR one would benefit greatly!! My family and kids would love to have somewhere to go. We personally have driven to Whapeton to go to the pool because our town doesn't have anything for kids to do in that aspect. Wouldn't you rather see your kids going to a pool where they can have fun and where there would be supervision than walking the streets and getting into trouble? And furthermore Adults... Come on I know everyone likes a good pool and waterslide!!!!!!!
Posted by Bev (anonymous) on February 20, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think a pool and a waterslide would be great fun!! We have actually gone as far as Alexandria to enjoy and fun time in the water.
Pebble Lake used to be a fun place to play and hang out. But we can't even fund life guards out there. But with the 'strict' rules, No Jumping...Oh Don't splash...stay off the......well any rate, we all know that..
Some how somewhere, we have to think about the enjoyment that people can get out of the outdoor life. We are stuck indoors all winter, so when summer arrives we take the time to run and play. Who cares if it's only a few weeks, days months we NEED something.
Posted by Notthere (anonymous) on February 28, 2008 at 5:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How about the city start spraying for mosquitos? So any of the parks in town are useable even in the summer? Has anyone attended or worse yet played softball at delagoon at night? MISERABLE!!!!!!
Posted by ffguy (anonymous) on March 5, 2008 at 9:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That would make sense to build a pool when we can't afford to pay for some high school Lifeguards at Pebble Lake! I like how people keep having these BIG ideas and we keep cutting things in our city. Why don't we try to use the things around the commununity that lay abandoned.
The pool in Alexandria is not city owned. Let a private guy build a water park. They can have a local company build it and people can pay to use it. That is how busines works.
Posted by cueball66 (anonymous) on March 6, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
the pool subject is one that needs to have a committee formed. This project needs to be seen as a econmic device for the city, It could be used as a tool to bring in more families which mean more stores and more jobs and less tax burden on the city as a whole. the big picture needs to be addressed here. When you talk to people outside of Fergus they nine times out of ten give a negative impression of fergus (personally I find myself defending fergus in these situtaions), common quotes are that fergus is boring, a black hole of nothingness, tec.. these same people tell me that Alexandira, and Detriot Lakes just feel like they have more to offer and they are more progressive then fergus.(I must admiti do frequently go to Whapeton to the Super Wal-mart just because they have more choices) So I am part of the problem, and Im told that Fergus will be nothing but a retirement town, I would like to see these people proven wrong. So lets get the job done and get out of the planning stage!
Posted by Tmalve (anonymous) on March 13, 2008 at 2:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I spent alot of time at Pebble Lake as a kid, only about a mile away, it "was" a great place to go to. Nice beach, docks, slides, raft, consession stand, Lifeguards. This place was packed on a hot summer day. To my knowledge it is a spring fed lake with no outlet, along with runoff this has destroyed not only the swimming area but Delegoon park, cottages, boat landing at both Pebble and Delagoon. The hillside along the old trap shooting range is sliding into the lake more and more each year. They lowered the water level but not enough. My opinion; put in a permanant drain tile to maintain the water level, bring life back to Pebble Beach, Delagoon park and the cottages.
Posted by otteralum (anonymous) on May 30, 2008 at 9:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Has the committee that has been formed for awhile now considered going back to the "old" days and put in the docks, slides, sandy beach, rafts etc? It seems that we have a unique gem here in Fergus Falls. If the city spent the money puting in the permanent drainage system the lake needs for several citizens, and invested in water "toys" again...wouldn't we have something that can uniquely be promoted? We'd be true to our roots...there's indoor swimming at the Middle School Pool, YMCA and I believe local hotels offer open swim as well.
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