By Sarah Light, staff writer

Getting a fueling station on Albert Lea&8217;s Fountain Lake has been a process long in the making &8212; but it&8217;s finally become a reality.

About two weeks ago, Albert Lea resident Ramona Anderson, with the company Gem Coast, opened up a fueling station right at City Beach.

Anderson said her interest in the project peaked last year, and she submitted a proposal to the city in January. After some work finding insurance, the project got the city&8217;s blessing.

Anderson said boaters went through 200 gallons of gasoline that first weekend and she looks forward to providing fuel for people the rest of the summer.

Gem Coast offers 93 percent octane gasoline without ethanol. Boaters planning to purchase it can usually expect the price to be about a dollar more than regular gasoline because of the costs associated with getting it there, she said. But the price is worth it thinking about the convenience offered.

Oil will also be available starting this weekend for boats that require a gasoline-oil mixture.

Anderson said many of the boaters who have used the resource thus far have expressed their gratitude for it to her.

One woman told her this is something she&8217;s wanted for 30 years, she said, and she&8217;s grateful to not have to haul gas cans to her boat anymore.

Susie Petersen, executive director with the Albert Lea Convention & Visitors Bureau, said the new gasoline facility is a great convenience and added benefit for the city&8217;s lakes.

Because the lakes are already such a huge attraction for people to this community, having gas on the lake will be just another great resource to bring people into Albert Lea, Petersen said, noting that she was one of the very first customers at the station two weeks ago.

In addition to offering fuel for boats, Anderson said canoes will be available for rental hopefully this fall.

Depending on how sales go, she would love to add paddleboats and some other rentals as well, she said.

Down the road, the company is looking into doing sailing lessons, offering water buoys to people as an alternative to purchasing a dock and is hoping to bring in vendors to sell food in the area near the fueling station.

These could even be service clubs who are willing to sell some food.

&8220;We would love to create more excitement in this area on this great lake &8212; make this area look better for tourists,&8221; Anderson said.

Eventually, the company would love to become like a boat marina with docking as well.

&8220;There&8217;s no limits,&8221; she said. &8220;We think this coastline is a gem, and we&8217;ll try and prove that.&8221;

Albert Lea City Manager Victoria Simonsen said the city is thrilled that Anderson was able to get the fueling station worked out.

&8220;We&8217;re hoping she can set a good foundation this year to bring in more amenities next year,&8221; Simonsen said. &8220;We hope that area becomes a vital spot on the lake with a variety of offerings, and we&8217;re going to work together to make that happen.&8221;

Boat fueling offered by Gem Coast

Hours: Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. in fair weather; fueling also available by appointment

Payment: cash, local checks, Visa or MasterCard

Information: (507) 402-7640