Page 2 - Rob Baumgarn News Today

The lease agreement approved Monday by the Willmar City Council is requiring a name change for the festival due to its organizer, Steve Peppin, filing to run for Willmar mayor.

Willmar Parks and Recreation have started a new adopt-a-park program. The goal is to bring some needed attention to all of the city’s parks, from Robbins Island to the smallest neighborhood park.

The Willmar City Council approved the purchase of a 2022 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck for the Parks and Recreation Department to replace a 1998 Ford F-150.

Funding for several projects outlined by Willmar Parks and Recreation were approved by the Willmar City Council at its April 18 meeting.

The city of Willmar will be requesting $150,000 in grant funds from the Department of Natural Resources to fund improvements at the trail head near the Willmar Civic Center. The head is the starting point for three different trails, including the Glacial Lakes State Trail.

The Willmar City Council voted Monday to close the Indoor Gun Range located in the basement of the Willmar City Auditorium. Safety and the cost of lead mitigation are the main driving forces behind the move to close the facility.

In a few short years the entire recreation landscape in Willmar has been turned on its head, thanks to the tireless effort of a group of residents, the city council and staff, as well as the residents themselves.

The Willmar City Council approved awarding the contracts for the Swansson Field local option sales tax project to Marcus Construction, the construction manager. Marcus is guaranteeing the construction of the project will not go over $1,771,876.

The Willmar City Council approved a contract with B32 Engineering Group to design the refrigeration system for the proposed curling facility at the Willmar Civic Center. The city and the Glacial Ridge Curling Club have been working toward making the project a reality for a couple of years.

The Willmar City Council will need to make a decision on whether to keep the indoor gun range, located in the basement of the City Auditorium, open or mandate only lead free shot to be used. Tighter lead restrictions from the Environmental Protection Agency will make it extremely difficult for the city to keep the range adequately cleaned if no changes are made.