A curling club wants to be included in the Fargo Park District's plans to build an ice hockey arena.
Members of the Fargo-Moorhead Curling Club asked the Park Board Tuesday to consider building a larger arena with a third sheet of ice where curlers could toss their rocks.
The board agreed to have the project architect evaluate the additional costs for a curling addition to the arena.
The curling club would organize a fund drive to help pay the costs if the addition is approved, club member Nick Klaers said.
In April, the Park Board sold 28 acres of land for $2.4 million, money it will use to build a youth hockey arena near the intersection of Interstate 94 and 45th Street South. Currently the project calls for building an arena with two ice rinks for about $3 million.
ADVERTISEMENT
"We just want to be included in the master plan," said Paul Saarion, the curling club's president.
Currently, Fargo-Moorhead curlers take to the ice in a steel building on 17th Avenue North. The building and its ice plant are more than 30 years old and require heavy maintenance, Saarion said.
A sheet of ice measuring 90 feet by 140 feet can support six curling contests. The ice would be available for youth and senior curling about 80 hours a week, Saarion said.
Also on Tuesday, the Park Board said thanks, but no thanks, to a donation of 650 trees.
Reed Danuser, a member of the Fargo Baseball Commission, offered 650 Brandon Cedars to landscape beyond the outfields at Tharaldson Baseball Complex.
The trees, worth about $17,000, should be planted by next week, Danuser said.
Board members opted not to accept the trees largely on the advice of Park Forester John Wesolowski.
He said the trees are prone to winter injury and more than half could die in the open wind.
ADVERTISEMENT
"You always take risks with vegetation in this climate," Danuser said. "This is an opportunity."
In other business, the Park Board agreed to advertise for an architect to design a nine-hole golf course on the city's growing southwest side.
Osgood Investments LLC, has agreed to give the Park Board 90 acres on the condition it builds a course.
Osgood Investments plans to develop 480 acres of land south of 40th Avenue South and east of the Sheyenne River. Plans are to build 800 homes and dedicate 12 acres for neighborhood parks, trails and a swimming pool.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Jeff Zent at (701) 241-5526
