Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Serving O'Brien & Clay Counties
Pool fundraising continues during facility's construction
Construction of Hartley's new pool is continuing throughout the winter and spring with plans for a summer 2022 opening.
Swimming season may be several months out, but members of the Hartley Community Pool Campaign Committee are still asking locals to dive in with donations.
As of Tuesday morning, just over $173,000 had been donated to the pool campaign. The goal is $500,000, and committee spokeswoman Jackie Stoltz admitted they've got a ways to go.
"We're plugging along," she said. "If you have a business and haven't donated yet, you can do so by sending a check to City Hall or you can contact either myself, Cheryl Bethke or Erica Haack with questions."
Pool construction is ongoing and the facility remains on schedule to open this summer. The bulk of its $3 million price tag is being funded by a $1.7 million bond issue approved by local voters last year, with the rest coming from grants and donations.
City Administrator Erica Haack said there have been no additional developments that have increased the pool's price so far. To date, the city has been awarded a $350,000 Community Attraction and Tourism (CAT) Grant and a $7,500 commitment from O'Brien County, which was contingent upon being awarded the CAT grant. No other grant applications are in the works currently, but Haack said the city plans on looking into other grants to help fund future recreational projects.
Haack said there is no deadline for fundraising efforts. If the total falls short of the $500,000 goal, the city would have to use some of its available funds toward the project.
So far fundraising efforts have included a can and bottle drive, pulled pork meal, quilt raffle and auction of old city street signs. Next, the pool campaign committee is hosting a lasagna take-out meal on Sunday, Feb. 6 from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Hartley Community Center. Free will donations will be accepted at the drive-thru only event, which features lasagna, fancy green beans, breadsticks and cookies. All proceeds will benefit the pool.
"We decided lasagna would be a nice change of pace," Stoltz said. "The pool has come a long way, and it's exciting. We're so excited for it to be done and open."
