Splashing Forward: Marshall’s New Aquatic Center Gets Big Boost from Donors

Issue #297

01 Jul

In this Marshall Area Insider issue…

☀️ Marshall, MN Weather - Sunny with a high of 82

🗞️ Splashing Forward: Marshall’s New Aquatic Center Gets Big Boost from Donors

🗞️ Legal Battles Over Broadmoor Valley Mobile Home Park Continue

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Splashing Forward: Marshall’s New Aquatic Center Gets Big Boost from Donors

The new Marshall Aquatic Center continues to take shape, and thanks to strong community support, the facility will include several exciting upgrades. City officials estimate that local fundraising has contributed between $800,000 and $900,000 to the project—nearly doubling the amount of private funding first announced earlier this year.

While the project is primarily funded through up to $18.37 million in local sales tax revenue and $1.1 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars, community donations have made it possible to include popular extras like a splash pad, two additional slides, a rock climbing wall, and more spray features in the activity pool.

The city was also able to invest in infrastructure enhancements, such as additional sand under the pool decking. Though not a visible change, the sand base will help prevent settling and cracking, improving the long-term durability of the facility.

The splash pad, in particular, has been a longtime request from Marshall residents and is expected to be a major draw. Though many donations weren’t earmarked for specific features, the flexibility of the funds has allowed the city to pursue a broader range of amenities.

Construction is progressing steadily. As of late June, work was underway on the bathhouse, mechanical and concessions buildings, and lap pool. Crews were completing masonry, plumbing, and electrical conduit installations, while also preparing the groundwork and drainage systems beneath the pool areas.

The aquatic center’s design was scaled back from original plans due to budget constraints, but the final version still offers significant improvements. The new facility will provide roughly 40% more water surface area than the previous center, supporting community needs such as swim lessons, leisure activities, and aquatic programs.

The new activity pool will feature a zero-depth entry and reach up to 4.5 feet deep, allowing flexibility for a range of ages and abilities. A leisure river may also serve dual purposes by allowing lessons when its current is turned off.

Last year, more than 200 children participated in swim lessons at the aquatic center, and interest continues to grow. City staff are monitoring participation and staffing levels to ensure the expanded facility can meet community demand.

Looking ahead, officials say additional features like shade canopies and deck seating may be added as more funding becomes available.

Legal Battles Over Broadmoor Valley Mobile Home Park Continue

Legal battles surrounding the Broadmoor Valley mobile home park in Marshall show no signs of slowing, as multiple lawsuits continue to unfold in court despite an earlier jury decision largely in favor of the park’s owners.

In January, a civil trial in Lyon County District Court ended with a mixed verdict. While the jury found that Schierholz & Associates, which owns and operates the park, had failed to maintain clean and sanitary conditions at some point since 2019, it did not hold company president Paul Schierholz personally responsible.

The jury ruled in favor of the defendants on four other claims brought by the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office, which originally filed the suit in 2021.

Now, the Attorney General’s Office is pushing back. In post-trial motions, state attorneys are asking the court to overturn portions of the verdict and are seeking a new trial. Their arguments center on claims that Broadmoor residents were unlawfully charged excessive rent and that the park’s roads failed to meet basic travel standards. They also cite procedural missteps during the trial as grounds for a retrial.

The park’s legal team is pushing back with motions of their own. They are requesting that the court reverse the jury’s single finding against them and are also seeking reimbursement for attorney’s fees. Additionally, they’ve asked the court to sanction the Attorney General’s Office for what they describe as misconduct during the trial. The presiding judge, Tricia Zimmer, is currently weighing the motions from both sides.

But the legal story doesn’t end there. Two separate lawsuits—one from the City of Marshall and another from the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency—are also ongoing, adding further complexity to the situation.

In its lawsuit, the City of Marshall contends that the park is violating local ordinances by keeping a locked gate on one of only two entrances to the community. City code requires mobile home parks to maintain two open access points for safety reasons. The city has asked for a temporary injunction to ensure both entrances remain accessible.

Schierholz & Associates counters that Marshall’s ordinances don’t apply, citing a development agreement from the 1970s which they say only requires adherence to state law. Their legal response also accuses the city of conspiring with residents and the Attorney General’s Office to pressure them into selling the park and interfering with grant applications. That case is scheduled for a hearing on July 16.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency has accused the park owners of violating the terms of a $500,000 grant. According to the agency, the park signaled plans to shut down and increased rents by more than 5% without required approval. The agency is now seeking a court order to keep the park open until the matter is resolved. That hearing is set for July 11.

Altogether, the ongoing legal challenges illustrate persistent tension between the park’s management and various public entities. At the center of it all are concerns over safety, compliance with housing regulations, and the well-being of Broadmoor Valley residents.

Upcoming Area Events

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

Thursday, July 3rd

  • Makers Market in Granite Falls from 5-8 PM, with live music

Friday, July 4th

  • 4th of July Celebration at Independence Park in Marshall starting at 5:30 PM

  • St. John Cantius 4th of July Celebration in Wilno, MN

    • Wilno is located 3 miles north of Ivanhoe on County Hwy 5 & 1/2 mile east on County Hwy 17.

    • The day begins with Mass at 10:00am, a delicious Turkey Dinner will all the trimmings will be served from 10:30am to 1:00pm.

    • Live music by the Midwest Cowboys, Bingo, outdoor games,

    • Lunch stand with Lingen's Dairy Ice Cream. Pie + More auction at 1:30pm, Kiddie Tractor Pull at 2:30pm, Cash Raffle at 4:30pm.

Thursday, July 10th

  • Ivanhoe Community Pork Chop Feed Fundraise at Gilson Field in Ivanhoe

    • Serving from 5 to 7:30 PM or until gone

    • Free Will Donation

    • All proceeds will go to Lincoln County Relay for Life & American Cancer Society

    • Menu: Pork Chops, Baked Beans, Macaroni & Cheese, Ice Cream, Pop & Water

Friday, July 11th - Sunday, July 13th
Thursday, July 17th
Tuesday, September 30th and Wednesday, October 1st

  • Tall Cop Says Stop Event - September 30, 2025 from 6:15–7:30 PM at Pipestone Performing Arts Center in Pipestone

  • Tall Cop Says Stop Event - October 1, 2025 from 6:15–7:30 PM at Marshall High School Theater in Marshall

  • RSVP by contacting Jennifer Nelson at [email protected] or 507-532-1243

Special Community Events

  • SAIL: Stay Active & Independent For Life brought to you by A.C.E. of SW MN

    • a total of 24 classes every Tuesday and Thursday

    • from April 29 - July 17 from 9:30 - 10:30 AM at the YMCA in Marshall

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