Nose for News by Sarah Stultz

It may be the middle of winter, but myself and a group of others already have our sights set on spring.

We started earlier this year collecting money for Albert Lea’s community splash pad, and I’m happy to say, we have passed $115,000 in donations committed and received. Our total project is expected to cost about $150,000, so we’re proud to say we are nearing our goal — thanks to the help of so many of you and several businesses and organizations.

In case you’re not familiar with what a splash pad is, it is a recreational area in which a spray pool made out of jets and sprinklers is used to create a fun environment for people.

People will be able to push a button and water will spray out of the fountains, and after a certain amount of time, the water will be turned off automatically.

Used water will be collected in a tank underneath the ground, and then the water will be able to be re-used to water plants in the community.

The Albert Lea splash pad is slated to be at the corner of Broadway and Fountain Street, though our group is considering moving it a little bit to the west in that same piece of land for safety reasons. It will also be surrounded by black metal fencing similar to the fencing on the North Broadway parking lot for safety purposes.

The splash pad is estimated to use between 2 million and 3 million gallons of water per year based off the usage at a similar splash pad in Clear Lake, Iowa. It is estimated to cost residents less than $1 per year per household in water and maintenance.

If you want to get involved but haven’t had a chance to do so, it’s not too late!

Anyone wishing to contribute can do so by mailing tax-deductible donations to the Chamber Foundation at the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce, 1725 W. Main St., Albert Lea, MN 56007. Write “splash pad” in the memo line.

People who give $100 or more will be recognized.

There is also an opportunity on Thursday to get involved with the splash pad through the downtown Holiday Bazaar on Broadway. The event goes from 4 to 7 p.m., and the splash pad shirts and various sweatshirts will be available for purchase at a reduced cost.

These shirts and sweatshirts have already raised about $6,000 toward the overall effort and would be great to purchase for Christmas gifts! They will be for sale in the Albert Lea Convention and Visitors Bureau office.

Lastly, there is a possibility the project may come before the Albert Lea City Council this month or early next year for approval to move forward. We have heard many people who are excited about the project, and we hope you will lend your support at that time.

Sarah Stultz is the managing editor of the Tribune. Her column appears every Tuesday.