Fromstaff reports

On April 25, the Mower County Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on the construction of a new multipurpose arena on the Mower County Fairgrounds.

Saturday, April 15, 2000

On April 25, the Mower County Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on the construction of a new multipurpose arena on the Mower County Fairgrounds. A "yes" vote will green light the project, while no one knows for sure what a "no" vote will mean.

It confounds us, and many in the community, that the county board has dragged out a decision on the construction of the multipurpose arena until now. What is even more disappointing is the commissioners are even considering voting "no" on this project.

The support this project is receiving throughout the Austin community is overwhelming. From private businesses, to citizens, to youth organizations, this project has enough support for it to have been a reality a year ago. Yet the county commissioners continue to drag their feet, seemingly hoping this needed and worthwhile community asset will just go away.

Well, this project won’t go away and it shouldn’t. The commissioners need to do the right thing and fund their part of this project. The building will be an investment in our kids, our community, and in case the commissioners have forgotten, their antiquated fairgrounds.

We have said it before and will say it again, there is not one negative to this project. The multipurpose arena will prove an asset for the entire county.

And what’s not to like about getting something for less than half of what it will cost to construct? That’s exactly the scenario staring the county commissioners in the face. More than half the estimated $5.5 million multipurpose arena will come from contributions from the city of Austin and the generosity of local businesses and citizens.

And when construction of the facility is completed, the keys will be handed over to Mower County and it will be its own to operate.

So come on Len, David, Gary, Ray and Richard: Do the right thing and vote "yes: on April 25.