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Restoring beach a priority
Published Wednesday, April 9, 2008
As the Fergus Falls City Council ponders a number of projects, from a new ice arena to an expansion of the library and an additional fire hall, the highest priority items should be the control of water into Pebble Lake, along with the restoration of the Pebble Lake city beach.
While all of the proposed projects are important, the bottom line is that the degradation of the city beach left a complete void in terms of public places to swim. With more and more resorts closing due to the increasing value of lakeshore property and corresponding property taxes, local residents who don’t own lakeshore simply don’t have a place to go.
And while there has been much talk about an aquatic park, the lessons public officials should take from the Fergus Falls School District project is that local residents are much more willing to invest to refurbish existing amenities than build new ones. Lowering the water level in Pebble Lake and refurbishing the beach would do just that.
When considering what would benefit the highest percentage of local residents, it seems clear that restoring Pebble Beach should be high on the city’s list.
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 sametoyou (anonymous) on April 9, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Total agreement!!!
Posted by sametoyou (anonymous) on April 9, 2008 at 12:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Also, get the road built up high enough to never have to worry about it again!
Posted by gingersnap (anonymous) on April 9, 2008 at 12:46 p.m. (Suggest removal)
And please have lifeguards.
Posted by goingfishing (anonymous) on April 9, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pebble Beach is also a tradition for Fergus Falls. One that should be cherished and forwarded on to future generations. And, in the long run, probably the least expensive of the options.
Posted by Callie25 (anonymous) on April 9, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I could have sworn I read that the beach is unfixable.
Posted by yepUbetchya (anonymous) on April 9, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't recall seeing or hearing that a "pool" was motioned or voted on. But I do find it very insulting that there is a need for a NEW ice arena, yet we are to take lesson in the notion that local residents are much more willing to invest to refurbish existing amenities than build new ones. that word "NEW" must only be applicable to agenda items a certain few find important for themselves.
As a p.s., I find it a bit sad that the Aquatic evaluation committee is made up of some major hockey sponsors.
Posted by Trixie (anonymous) on April 9, 2008 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It is with excitement that I read the possibility of Pebble Beach being restored. I remember as a small child (about 55 years ago) biking and walking with my brother to swim at the beach with lifeguards sitting up on the guard tower to help make our swim secure. Please keep in mind when you make your decision, Council, that Fergus Falls needs to take care of there young people with access to public recreation. I do not reside in Fergus Falls but we still have family there and spend time there when we can. Our family had a very successful reunion at Pebble Lake in 2005 and only one disapointment. The beach was inhabitable.
Thanks,
Trix Bloch
Savage, Mn.
Posted by old46guy (anonymous) on April 12, 2008 at 7:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Don't kid yourselves residents, fixing that beach is WAY to progressive for Fergus. Too many "do nothing" people in government and they'd much rather get rid of tradition in FF than do anything that might make FF a great place to live (again). Get off your dead "butts" and raise "heck" with the powers that be. (Notice I've toned my comments down so the "newspaper police" dont censor me)
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