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Put water park money into Pebble Lake upgrade
Published Thursday, March 13, 2008
Rinks, library, DeLagoon Park, and Pebble Lake Beach. There are those that refer to the water parkes of Wahpeton, Fargo and Grand Forks and how nice it would be if Fergus Falls would build a nice water park.
The truth of the matter is that these cities would give their souls and eye teeth to have what Fergus Falls has — Pebble Lake.
Fergus Falls could make improvements at Pebble Lake Beach compared to what it would cost to build cement, chlorine and virus-infested swimming and wading pools.
The investments in a city water park would be big, big bucks compared to the cost in making and improving the existing beach at Pebble Lake. With Pebble Lake, we have a beautiful lake and area, close to God and nature right in our own back yard.
Let’s make good use of Pebble Lake now rather than wait until next August or years from now. Pebble Lake improved would be wonderful for our local people, but it could attract many tourists. People will come to our area because of its beautiful lake, not its cement water park.
We have some wonderful people in city hall, but at times, they need a wake-up call. There are times when we all have to put on our thinking caps and this includes the city hall gang.
Vince Ebbighausen - Fergus Falls
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 eripsni (anonymous) on March 13, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I dunno, I'd rather have a waterpark. I can go swim in any lake any time I want.
Posted by Callie25 (anonymous) on March 13, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Agreed. And pools are virus infested? Hmmmm..can you say swimmer's itch?
Posted by citizenkane (anonymous) on March 13, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree fix up the beach. We already have it just fix it up. Get some lifeguards, and open the building up that is already out there.
It is a perfect spot! You have the golf course right there!
Posted by sametoyou (anonymous) on March 13, 2008 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just a few years ago, this waterpark idea surfaced, and at that time the reason used to justify it was, it was too far out for some kids to bike or walk to Pebble Lake. Now when it resurfaced, there is no talk at all about that. Every time we hire a new city head, all past history is forgotten! There is some plusses in hiring from within or at least somebody familiar with the past. We heard from one of these outside hirings not to long ago, stating, the use of the liquor store profits to keep the Bigwood Event Center afloat, doesn't effect anything. Ha, Life guards, fireworks, summer park and rec employees, warming house attendants, etc. He either didn't do his homework, or just doesn't get it. I'm not against a waterpark, I just think it should be in addition to the Pebble Lake beech. It should be in town, where it would be accessable to more kids.( Groto Park perhaps)And no, you can't just go to any lake and go swimming, unless you do it from a boat. There are fewer and fewer lakes with public beeches for swimming. We have a real gem with Pebble Beech! We are very fortunate to have it and should never let it go! But beware, there are powers that would love to sell it off for condos.
Posted by prock22 (anonymous) on March 13, 2008 at 2:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Funny people would say it is too far to bike/walk or just get a stinkin' ride from their folks. I can remember, maybe 10-15 years ago, when I would ride bike with my brother all the way out there. The place was packed. Lately it doesn't seem that way! We would even carry fishing poles and tackle boxes. And mind you, I didn't live close like say Grotto, more so a couple blocks from Broadway park. But we had no problem doing it. I'd say there's something wrong with kids now days wanting to spend time indoors or are unable to have imagination and create their own fun without having structure to show them what to do (like this water park deal). Fergus is a small town with a simple lifestyle that we've forgotten about in recent years of technology and innovation. We need to enjoy the outdoors because that's the best part about Fergus; its accessability. I say give Pebble Lake the boost it needs. We've got a ton of stuff out there (golf, baseball/softball fields, soccer fields) get a really nice beech with lifeguards and a child safe area. Clean the lake a bit, fix the sandy beach and make a nice retaining wall to stop the erosion, set up some bbq areas, maybe horseshoe pit, beech volleyball court and move the camping to the other side of the lake!! Next to the beach. I think a Water Park is foolish. Do people really think it'll attract out of town guests? It'll be mainly local residents. I know I travel back to Fergus in the summer to camp and go fishing. DUH! Not to spend time at a waterpark. Board members, do your homework! Daily Journal staff...feel free to probe me for ideas of how the city should develop Pebble Lake...and get our kids to enjoy the outdoors, in its NATURAL state!!
Posted by prock22 (anonymous) on March 13, 2008 at 3:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've gotta say, "eripsni" has nothing but negative comments EVERY DAY!! What a bitter life you live. Opinionated - yes...educated - maybe, bitter/negative - absolutely!
Posted by eripsni (anonymous) on March 13, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Thanks! :)
Posted by tanker8 (anonymous) on March 13, 2008 at 7:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Water parks aren't prone to flooding.
Posted by sametoyou (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 7:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
prock22, I agree, it doesn't seem all that far for kids to go on a walk or bike ride. Unfortunatly today though, times have changed. When I was 5 or 6 we would hitch hike the 3 miles to town, and nobody thought anything of it. I wouldn't even do that as an adult today. But that's not to say an adult can't walk or ride with there kids if they have that kind of concern.
Posted by RICK33 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the city should fix up pebble beach for the younger kids, and it wouldn't cost the tax payers much. I also disagree the beach isn't that far out for the kids to bike. If you want a water park; then the rich people and the yuppies can all pich in and pay for it. I also think they should put some money into the softball fields by spraying for bugs so the kids can watch thier parents play and enjoy being out there without getting eaten alive. I also think they should move the fences back to 300 like all the other standard fences are now, and then they could hold state and national tournaments. In the long run would help pay for the upgrades on the fields from holding more tournaments and bigger state tournaments.
Posted by jafo (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Sell the old beach property for golf course condos.
Use the proceeds to create a new swimming area on the DeLagoon side, by the softball/baseball complex, and the campgrounds. The new bike trail addition will provide a safe route to the area via the Central Lakes Trail.
Maybe down the road, we could have a waterpark, but for now, let's make the Pebble/DeLagoon area as good as it can be.
Posted by Redcloud (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
and I have the documents to prove it.
Posted by Redcloud (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Not so fast jafo, that property was donated to the city of Fergus Falls by my great great grandfather, with certain stipulations. One being that the property shall revert to the heirs if the city stops using it for its intended purpose.
Posted by sametoyou (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 11:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Also the DeLagoon side is a fish spawning area that I would hope the DNR would shoot any thoughts of a swimming beach on that side, right down!!
Posted by Callie25 (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 1:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think some of you are missing the point that a waterpark would be an OUTDOOR pool. There are obviously large obstacles in fixing Pebble Beach and kids I know want to swim outside, not indoors during the summer. Drive around town in the summer and you'll see kids jumping off the bridges and swimming in the river. Now that's something I wouldn't want my children to be doing, regardless of how long it has been going on.
Posted by jafo (anonymous) on March 14, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
A generous sized swimming area of 300 feet by 100 feet would be .68 acres. The littoral area of Pebble Lake is 66 acres. The fish would have plenty of area to do their thing. I don't have access to my lake maps right now, does anyone know the depth of the lake shore area from the boat landing to the dock, and how quickly it drops off?
Posted by sametoyou (anonymous) on March 17, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Jafo, I see you know alot about fish. I suppose you just put a notice in the paper that the place these fish spawn will now be moved to the other side of the lake, and when they read it in the paper they'll know they have to move. Maybe you just post an underwater sign for them. If you catch it just right in the spring, you will see walleyes where your talking, with their snouts litteralyl inches from shore as they "do their thing". The wave action is just right with the spring south winds!
Posted by RICK33 (anonymous) on March 21, 2008 at 9:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't think selling the land and putting up condos for the rich golfers is the answer. The outdoor pool is a joke because you have the lake there. Just fix the beach on the pebble side put slides, and docks and hire some life guards. If you think you need an outdoor pool you should all dig deep into your own pockets and pay for it instead of wasting the tax payers money.
Posted by chriscraft (anonymous) on March 21, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I sure wish the city of Fergus would get off the jag of a water park. The water park would be a "huge" liablity not to mention all the costs involved with all of its maintenence. The city can't even justify the "insignificant" fuel costs with heating of a single warming house on Lake Alice & the free ice. Even in the summer months the water park water will require to be heated and treated at a horendous $$$ cost! I really believe our council members have H20 on the brain.
Posted by toad3 (anonymous) on March 25, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
They have Christmas trees and fireworks on their brains.
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