How many of you would turn down the opportunity to own a brand new car if someone else was willing to pay for more than half of that car?.

Saturday, April 15, 2000

How many of you would turn down the opportunity to own a brand new car if someone else was willing to pay for more than half of that car?

My guess is not many of us would turn down that offer.

Well, that’s the type of offer sitting in front of the Mower County Board of Commissioners, yet they’re willing to flip the keys back and say thanks, but no thanks. That’s a shame, but it is exactly what the commissioners may do later this month.

On April 25, the county board is set to vote, finally, on whether or not the proposed multipurpose arena at the Mower County Fairgrounds will be constructed.

The proposed multipurpose arena will house two sheets of ice and is needed to meet the growing need for ice hours by hockey and figure-skating organizations, provide a more modern home for the National Barrow Show and begin the modernization of the fairground facilities.

The anticipated cost of the facility is $5.5 million.

Yet Mower County can own and operate what is expected to be a tremendous community asset and facility for less than half of the anticipated costs.

How, you ask?

Because private businesses, individuals, youth organizations and the city of Austin have thrown their financial support behind this project.

The county commissioners shouldn’t need to look any further than the financial support area businesses and individuals have pledged to realize building the multipurpose arena is the right thing to do.

The city of Austin has pledged to provide $650,000 in support of this project, plus an estimated $200,000 worth of equipment. Hormel Foods has pledged $900,000, which includes a $250,000 challenge grant to Austin Youth Hockey. The Hormel Foundation has pledged an additional $350,000.

Then there is the work of Austin Youth Hockey, which has worked hard soliciting funds from area business and individuals.

That work has resulted in the generosity of the following businesses and individuals: US Bank, the Weyerhaeuser Foundation, Joel and Beth Johnson and the Austin Daily Herald all have pledged or donated $15,000 or more; Norwest Bank, Gary and Pat Ray, Mahlon and Karen Schneider and the Post-Bulletin all have pledged or donated $10,000 or more; HiMEC Inc., the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Sterling State Bank, I.J. Holton, Minnesota Corrugated Box Inc., Smyth Cos./Mower House and the Holiday Inn Austin all have pledged or donated $5,000 or more; The Joseph Co., Forrest and Karen Dryden, Ron and Kathy Fielding, Larry and Julie Nace, Joanne and David Dickson, AmericInn Motel and Suites, Stan and Joyce Kerber, Clasen-Jordan Mortuary, Lason, Allen, Weishair and Co., Maple Island Park Association,

Larry and Jackie Lyons, Peter and Kathy Green, Sargeant Agro Services, Rick and Suzanne Bross, McFarland Truck Lines Inc., Glenn and Sally Baker and the Hormel Employees Credit Union all have pledged or donated $1,000 or more; and 39 additional donations ranging from $25 to $999.

That’s 83 individuals or businesses that have put their money where their mouth is and generously provided funds for a project that is intended to benefit the community and our children. And that doesn’t even include the hundreds of people working at the businesses that gave, nor the number of volunteers who give their time to organizations such as Austin Youth Hockey and the Riverside Figure Skating Club.

Wow. It makes one wonder what the Mower County Commissioners see that all these people don’t.

The sad thing is local businesses and individuals, who already pay taxes, shouldn’t have to go to the bank to fund such a community project. The county should be the one leading such a project, not running from it. Other counties, both big and small, fund such wonderful projects. Again, why not Mower?

Of course the commissioners have the opportunity to show all of us they can do the right thing and that they have heard, seen and recognized the strong support members of this community have shown. All it takes is a "yes" vote on April 25.

Neal Ronquist is publisher of the Austin Daily Herald. His column appears Sundays. E-mail him at neal.ronquist@austindailyherald.com