I was unable to attend the Albert Lea Noon Kiwanis Club’s annual pancake breakfast this past weekend, but I would like to thank everyone who took part in it, whether through attending or volunteering.

I am a member of the Noon Kiwanis Club, but as the mother of two young children, I am also an advocate for the splash pad project, which will benefit from the proceeds of the breakfast.

This was the first major fundraiser for the splash pad, and I am proud to see more and more people get involved in making this project a reality.

From the beginning — when myself and a few others came together to organize a committee to raise money for the splash pad — we hoped this would be a project the community would rally around. A community project means so much more as residents from all sectors of life are involved.

I am proud to say that other Kiwanis clubs in the community have also expressed their support, and there will be several other fundraisers to come. In addition to clubs, our splash pad fundraising committee will soon be reaching out to area businesses for their support and submitting applications for several grants.

Though we have a lot of money to raise — roughly $150,000 — we hope community members will see the value of this project and choose to donate or get involved.

As it has been stated in the past, the splash pad is planned to go at the intersection of Broadway and Fountain Street, north of the North Broadway parking lot. It will be in an area that in the past has been grassy, and safety measures will be in place to protect any children who utilize the space.

These splash pads are popping up all over the country, including in Minnesota, and we are excited to bring this type of recreation to Albert Lea.

Albert Lea’s splash pad will be built to complement the downtown area, similar to the first one I ever came across when I attended college in Utah that was more of a plaza for people to walk through.

The children loved it there, and I think having one in Albert Lea will be just as exciting for our community and the surrounding residents.

While we have a long way to go until we reach enough money for the project, I want to encourage people to get involved in whatever way they are able. The committee will meet next week to determine how to reach out to more people.

If you would like to get involved in raising money for this cause, please email me at sarah.stultz@albertleatribune.com.

 

Tribune Managing Editor Sarah Stultz’s column appears every Tuesday in the Tribune.