Parkers Prairie Pool Makes A Big Splash
by Steve Heriot, photo provided
In August of 2017 the City of Parkers Prairie opened a new Aquatic Center, partnering with the city, West Central Initiative and Lloyd Paulson. As a former Parkers Prairie resident and partner at Scheels All Sports he wanted to make the Aquatic Center a reality. The long time philanthropist offered a grant of $1 Million dollars. To inspire local giving, the grant would be only granted if the community could raise a matching amount. He further stipulated that there would have to be at least 200 donors who would make pledges of $1,000 or more in order to show enough community support for this project. And they got it!
From that point on things went swimmingly for the project. Construction funding goals were reached, and construction soon began on the Aquatic Center. After construction was completed, the $2.2 million Parkers Prairie Aquatic Center passed a state inspection and opened to the public in August 2017. It is a tribute to the community that 100 percent of the construction funds came from donations of area individuals and businesses and that no public funds or tax money were used for the project.
The Parkers Prairie Aquatic Center is heated mostly by cost effective solar panels and features a zero-entry area, perfect for toddlers and non-swimmers. It progresses to a 2.5-foot depth, with a basketball hoop and “sprinkler” features. The middle channel connects the zero-entry side with the deeper side of the pool. This “channel” can accommodate a wheelchair or a walker and is a nice feature for those who enjoy a “gradual” entry into the pool. The deeper side of the pool measures from 3.5 feet to a 10-foot depth at the deep end, where there is a diving board. Newer additions have included a climbing wall and a tot slide. A drop slide is planned. The pool sits between the baseball field and the City Park, so it makes it a great location for picnics, reunions, and other events. Day passes are reasonably priced and season passes are offered as well.
Swimming at the community pool has now become an important and healthy activity for youth and adults in the area. Although the project was a success from start to finish, the final value of the facility might be said to come from its usefulness to the community… and from Memorial Day to Labor Day last year there were over 7,000 visitors!
