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FAIRMONT SOFTBALL NEWS

Click here to see a map of complex area

JANUARY '01 The city has again applied for funding for the Winnebago Avenue sports complex project. The city is seeking five hundred thousand dollars to fund the project. The city administrator Jim Zarling said city would like to begin construction by next fall. The decision on the state funding should be back by that time. The funds would be matched by the $500,000 the city is already set aside for the project. Some encouragement was given from state representative Bob Gunther, indicating that there would be significant state bonding bill for the project-despite budget shortfalls. Besides the fields, a concession stand/restrooms, larger parking lots, a walking and biking trail are planned. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- AUGUST '01 The city of Fairmont did not receive the DNR Grant. The complex is now scheduled for construction in the fall of 2002. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- MAY '01 Fairmont Council meeting hearing on New Softball Complex faces no opposition. The informative meeting was to notify residents and act as a public hearing required by the DNR. The city applied to the DNR for an Outdoor Recreation Grant to help pay for the complex. The council voted unanimously to move forward with the project. Click here to see a map of the area. The city will form a task group for more input. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- JULY '02 FAIRMONT -- "Strike two" has been called on plans to give the Winnebago Diamonds softball facility a make-over. Gov. Jesse Ventura cut $500,000 the City of Fairmont requested toward the $1 million project Wednesday. Fairmont sought an equal amount of funding for the project last year from the Department of Natural Resources Park Expense Fund, but that request also was denied. The city has set aside half of the needed money, but relied heavily on state funding to make up the other half of the funds. Construction was tentatively planned to begin toward the end of this year, but now that will not happen. "Obviously it put us (back). We'd hoped to start construction this fall," said City Administrator Jim Zarling. "We won't be able to do that now. It's very disappointing." Plans for the park project include a larger parking lot, concession stands and restrooms, a walking and biking trail, and additional softball diamonds. The project would connect to the skate park in the northeast corner. Even though Ventura slashed the funds from the bonding bill, the project is far from a dead issue, Zarling said. "We certainly won't give up on it because we think it is important. There are possible alternatives, and we will look at all the alternatives when the Legislature gets together in January and we see what state funds look like," Zarling said. The major revenue sources for the city are property taxes and state-provided Local Government Aid. Since those two bring in the bulk of finances to city coffers, Zarling said that is the area the city will look for alternate funds, should no state money be forthcoming. "If there aren't (state) funds available we will look at funding it from local sources," Zarling explained. Zarling was not the only one disappointed with Ventura's hack job on the Winnebago complex funds. Sen. Chuck Fowler, DFL-Fairmont, said he was not happy with Ventura's assault on the boding bill overall. He said Ventura was short-sighted in his actions. "First of all, in general I am very disappointed to see the governor slash that much out of the budget," Fowler said. "Anytime someone would say they were the 'Samurai Governor,' and go into it with that thought -- I didn't think he was very thoughtful about it." Fowler said he understood some things in the bill being cut, but added that many of the things Ventura did away with are needed to stimulate economic growth in greater Minnesota. "I know (the Fairmont request) is not considered top priority for him, but for some people recreation and places for kids to use are important too. We need these things and some we can live without, but some are needed to stimulate the economy," Fowler said. Rep. Bob Gunther, R-Fairmont, said Ventura cut Fairmont's funding from the bill because he considered it not to have statewide significance and does not think the state has enough money. "Whenever you put the name of a project down there is a chance of having it vetoed because it can be considered as only a local interest," Gunther explained. The project was in the bonding bill as Fairmont Sports Complex. Gunther said he tried to avoid a similar fate for funding for a Madelia business incubator by hiding it in the Greater Minnesota Business Development Grants, but that entire $12 million item was cut as well. "(Ventura) said he would do it if he did not get Northstar (rail corridor) funds. That says to me he got it way down because he didn't get what he wanted," Gunther said. "Apparently he got his axe sharpened to cut way down and the Fairmont Winnebago recreation area was one of the first on his list. He did it big time. "It is unfortunate the governor wielded his axe because a lot of things could have been done for small, greater Minnesota communities."

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