Save the cottage at Edgewater Park

Published 9:44 am Tuesday, March 25, 2014

With the building of the new pavilion at Edgewater Park, our city decided we no longer have a need for Edgewater Cottage. Another part of our history is destined for the wrecking ball. This 78-year-old city treasure and centerpiece of our beautiful park is to be destroyed. The cottage has been part of our lives for so many years and was the first structure in our beautiful park. Those who have had celebrations, meetings, graduations, church groups and other gatherings under 100-year-old oak trees at the edge of the lake and would like their children and grandchildren to share in the experiences they have enjoyed must stand up and be counted or it will be lost forever. With your help, we will restore and improve the cottage so that it can continue to serve our community for the next 50 to 100 years.

Thankfully many people have loving memories of the cottage and want to help save it. Many have already contributed to this project with financial support and the business community has contributed both money and in-kind support. Contributions include some free labor, windows, doors, laminated beams,
lumber, paint, a new kitchen, concrete and equipment. This has been a real community effort!

We are so very close to our goal of raising $35,000. We have raised $30,000 and must raise another $5,000 by the first part of April to satisfy our agreement with the city. All the engineering has been completed. We have received commitments for $50 to $75,000 worth of in-kind contributions and need to secure the remaining finances to meet our obligation. Future generations will be thankful that we preserved this gem to stand for many more years in one of the most beautiful parks in southern Minnesota.

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Your contributions can be sent to Bob Goldman at his office, or to the Chamber of Commerce office at 2580 Bridge Ave. in Albert Lea. Make your check payable to the Albert Lea Chamber of Commerce Foundation for it to be tax-deductible. The memo line should be designated as Edgewater Cottage.

Thanks in advance for your help and contribution. We think saving the cottage is a worthy community project. Many have already made their contribution. We hope you will, too.

 

Karen Trow

Albert Lea