Recreation Arena, Inc. members will get a chance to share information they have collected on a multi-purpose recreational facility with the New Ulm City Council.

The Council voted Tuesday to have a committee meet with this group as soon as a written report on recent ward hearings is compiled The council held hearings in each ward to take the community pulse on such a facility.

“WE OWE these people the courtesy of listening to them,” said Councilman John Mowan. “I for one would be interested in how it could be built for $1.5 million. This issue is not going to go away by filing their letter.”

Willis Laraway of Recreation Arena, Inc. wrote the council that a pool-arena facility could “definitely be built for an all encompassing total cost that will be under $1.5 million.”

He stated that to attain this goal the specifications would have to be outlined to the needs and interests of the people and include sizes stated on a Recreation Arena, Inc. sketch. Also the architects and engineers would have to be controlled towards this goal with no add-ons allowed.

A sketch of one Recreation Arena, Inc. proposal shows a 25-meter-by-100-foot pool, a 136-by-230 foot multi-use wing and a 40-by-136 foot dual service core (concessions, rest rooms, lockers, offices, ticket booth, viewing area, equipment storage).

Mowan said a committee appointed by the council President should meet with Recreation Arena, Inc. and listen to the proposals.

This fall the council may have to submit the issue to the voters to decide, Mowan said.

Mayor Carl Wyczawski and Council President William Gafford agreed with Mowan.

Gafford thanked the citizen group for its offer of assistance and said the council would call on them soon.

New Ulm Daily Journal

June 2, 1976