Revised Aquatic Center Design Keeps Big Features While Cutting Costs

Issue #153

12 Dec

In this Marshall Area Insider issue…

☀️ Marshall, MN Weather - Sunny with a high of 8

🗞️ Name a Snowplow 2025: Submit Your Best Winter-Themed Names

🗞️ Revised Aquatic Center Design Keeps Big Features While Cutting Costs

📣 Want to get your business in the Marshall Area Insider? Let’s talk!

📌 Know of other local events not listed? Send us the details!

Name a Snowplow 2025: Submit Your Best Winter-Themed Names

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has launched its fifth annual Name a Snowplow contest, encouraging residents to flex their creativity with fun and unique names.

Over the years, this beloved tradition has brought iconic names like Taylor Drift and The Big Leplowski to life, adding a touch of humor to Minnesota's snowy winters.

Entries must be under 30 characters and adhere to guidelines excluding inappropriate, political, or previously used names.

Once submissions close, MnDOT will narrow down the entries and host a public vote on finalists in January 2025.

The eight winning names will be assigned to snowplows across the state, with each MnDOT district receiving one of the chosen names.

For updates, follow MnDOT on social media, and check 511mn.org for real-time road conditions and travel updates during the snowy season.

Revised Aquatic Center Design Keeps Big Features While Cutting Costs

Marshall's plans for a new Aquatic Center are moving forward with a scaled-down redesign aimed at staying within budget.

The updated proposal, reviewed by the Marshall City Council, features smaller pools and buildings while maintaining a capacity greater than the current facilities.

The revised total project cost is estimated at $18.98 million.

The redesign reduces the pool area by roughly 20% but still exceeds the size of Marshall's existing pool complex. The new Aquatic Center will accommodate up to 960 bathers compared to the current capacity of 685.

Key changes include combining the bathhouse and mechanical building, downsizing the lap pool to four lanes, and adjusting the recreational pool’s features. While the leisure river remains the same length, some elements, such as water sprayers, have been removed to cut costs. The plan also includes a single, longer water slide designed for inner tube use.

Additional features, like two more water slides, a splash pad, and a climbing wall for the deep-water pool, are listed as potential alternates for the project but are not included in the base design. The demolition of the existing Aquatic Center near Legion Field Park is also excluded from the current plan.

The initial bids in August for the original design exceeded the $16.5 million estimate by over $5 million, prompting the council to reject them and pursue a redesign with a construction management approach.

The revised base bid now estimates construction costs at $14.15 million, with total expenses—including management fees and contingency costs—projected at $18.65 million. City-furnished items like concessions equipment and sound systems bring the overall estimate to $18.988 million.

Funding for the project includes Marshall’s local option sales tax and approximately $571,000 in community donations.

While fundraising efforts paused after the higher-than-expected bids in August, officials hope the redesign and favorable bids will reignite interest and support for additional contributions.

The council authorized the development of final redesign plans, with the goal of opening the project to bids by late January 2025.

Upcoming Area Events

 🗓️ Have an event to add? Send us the details!

Friday, December 13th
Saturday, December 14th
Friday, December 13th - Sunday, December 15th

  • Prairie Dance Alliance presents: The Nutcracker 

    • At the Schwan Community Center for the Performing Arts, Marshall Senior High School

    • Friday, December 13 at 7:00 PM

    • Saturday, December 14 at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM

    • Sunday, December 15 at 1:00 PM

Sunday, December 15th
Monday, December 16th and Tuesday, December 17th
Wednesday, December 18th

  • Hope Harbor Christmas Open House at 219 N High Street in Marshall from 1:00 - 6:00 PM

    • Come and go as you please

    • Door prizes, house tours, tons of treats, hot chocolate and cider bar, Christmas carols, games, cookie decorating and lots of Christmas spirit.

    • No cost to attend, no registration required. Learn more at hopeharbormn.org.

Wednesday, December 18th

  • Jingle Mingle Holiday Shopping Open House at Evergreen Lane Events in Redwood Falls from 4:00 - 7:00 PM

    • An evening of festive fun and thoughtful gifting with up to 12 amazing vendors offering unique products perfect for checking off your holiday shopping list.

Friday, December 20th
Saturday, December 21st
Sunday, December 22nd

  • Planetarium Christmas & Light Show at the SMSU Planetarium
    at 2:00 PM

    • Tickets are $5 and are sold at the door

  • Live reindeer at Volstead House Museum in Granite Falls starting at 1:00 PM

    • Meet Santa and get free reindeer food for your yard, so the reindeer can find your home 🦌

Saturday, December 28th
Sunday, January 5th
Wednesday, January 8th (first Wednesday of every month)

  • Dementia Caregiver Support Group from 10:00 - 11:30 AM at Adult Community Center in Marshall

    • Open to everyone, come when you can, no cost or obligation to attend, refreshments available

    • For questions contact Jamie Lanners (507) 828-8891

Friday, January 17th
Thursday, January 22nd

  • YMIC Business Tour Day

Friday, February 14th

  • Mother & Son Valentine’s Dance at the YMCA in Marshall from 6:00 - 8:00 PM

Saturday, May 17th

  • Made in Minnesota Craft Beer & Wine Festival at the Red Baron Arena in Marshall from 3:00 - 6:00 PM

Wednesday, August 6th

  • Intentional Leader Summit at Grace Life Church in Marshall

  • Light Up The Night takes place at Independence Park in Marshall from 5:00 - 9:00 PM every night. Starting November 29 through January 1st. Enjoy this beautiful Winter Wonderland!

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.