The 139-year-old cabin currently sitting at the Mower County Fairgrounds may find a new home after all.

Thursday, January 11, 2001

The 139-year-old cabin currently sitting at the Mower County Fairgrounds may find a new home after all. Members of the Park, Recreation and Forestry Board voted to pursue the acquisition of the cabin in a Tuesday night meeting.

Park, Recreation and Forestry Director Denny Maschka said that he has found a company who will move the structure for $600. Though Maschka and J.C. Hormel Nature Center Director Larry Dolphin admitted that some dry rot is present, they felt that the cabin can be rehabilitated.

The next step for the board will be to contact the donor family and the Mower County Historical Society. The board suggested moving the building to within the J.C. Hormel Nature Center.

Also at the board meeting, School District Superintendent Dr. Jim Hess asked for a waiver of the rental fee – which will be $750 – for Riverside Arena for the annual career day for area eighth graders.

Hess cited the fact that career day is usually held immediately after the boat and spring show as a reason that the costs should be waived, since no extra set-up would be necessary.

In addition, "it is all done with volunteer help and on a shoestring," Hess said. "We don’t charge the kids or their parents to attend." New board Chairman Dan Ball said that the board would consider the issue, but would not make a decision at this time.

During the meeting Ball was named as chairman, Darlene Thaisen was named as vice-chairwoman and Dave Ruzek was named as secretary/treasurer of the board.

At both the Park, Recreation and Forestry Board and Sub-Committee meetings, lengthy discussions took place regarding the extension of bike trails into the J.C. Hormel Nature Center. Most members agreed that bringing the trail up County Road Three and crossing at 28th Street will be safer than crossing at 21st Street, but the board members expressed concern about the number of street crossings and right-of-ways.

City councilman-at-large and new sub-committee member Dick Chaffee suggested that the board contact City Engineer Jon Erichson and members of the bike committee about this matter. Board member and City Councilwoman Gloria Nordin said that she would pass the concerns on.

Regarding the multi-purpose building project for the Mower County Fairgrounds, Chaffee said that he hopes "the county will cover the remaining shortfall."

A decision from the county on the project may come after a Jan. 17 meeting of the individuals involved, including several bidders, the architect and the county commissioners, said Chaffee. If the project does not move forward, the board discussed the possibility of using money budgeted for it for other recreation-based projects in the city.

Board member Gary Quednow raised the issue of flower baskets around the city. His concern is that flower baskets are being purchased for parts of Austin beyond the downtown area and yet playground equipment for Austin’s children are not being funded. The board approved a letter to Mayor Bonnie Rietz, detailing the board’s concerns.

At the earlier Park, Recreation and Forestry Sub-Committee meeting, Nordin and Maschka brought Chaffee and newly-sworn Councilman Pete Christopherson up to speed of current projects, including connection to trails from Leroy and Albert Lea, the Riverland baseball complex and St. Paul’s church.

Finally, a meeting to discuss an expansion of the J.C. Hormel Nature Center will be held on Jan. 19 at 4 p.m. in the Ruby Rupner Auditorium. Members of the sub-committee of Park, Recreation and Forestry, the Friends of the Nature Center committee and the board of the Friends of the Nature Center will be in attendance.