The public will start to see some prep for the new aquatic center today in Roosevelt Park
Seventy-five trees will be removed from Roosevelt Park in Fergus Falls today. (Thursday, January 25, 2024) To prepare the site for construction of an outdoor community pool, Tradesmen Construction will clear the site this week because the ground is frozen and more resilient to the heavy equipment used during the process.
Assuming favorable weather, construction begins in April on the facility which was approved by voters in November 2022 and is scheduled to open by Memorial Day 2025. The $10.8 million project will feature a zero-depth entry pool, waterslide, a four-lane lap swimming pool, changing rooms and showers, lockers and a concession area.
The location of the aquatic center was determined by the City Council with input from the task force and consultants who have been working on the project since 2016 and was approved by the voters in 2022. Roosevelt Park is located across the street from Kennedy Secondary School and adjacent to the skate park. The WPA (Works Progress Administration) picnic shelter and restroom will remain, as will the skate park. The Otter Riser Kiwanis picnic shelter and the playground equipment have already been removed and will be placed in another park.
Some of the trees will be salvaged for use by Legacy Tree Artists. These are resident wood artists who apply for an annual permit allowing them to use local wood in their work. Tradesmen Construction will work with the City Forester Andy Nelson to identify these trees. Legacy Tree Artist permits are available for $50 annually; applications are available from Public Works Director, Len Taylor, Len.Taylor@FergusFallsMN.gov. Taylor notes the city annually plants 120-150 new trees. If the budget allows at year-end, the plan is to plant additional trees.
During the 2022 election, voters authorized the city to use local option sales tax to fund the project. The ballot measure was approved by 59.68% of the voters. JLG Architects is the project design team and Tradesmen Construction from Alexandria, MN was awarded the contract to build the facility. For details about the project Click Here