The fourth annual Water Festival will be July 10-15 at the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center. This is a free community event. Each day there will be a different event planned. On Monday, learn from Steve Lawler, Mower SWCD about Cover Crop Champions; at 10 a.m. Thursday, Bill Thompson will talk about the model stream for the Senior Special.

At 1 p.m. Thursday, there will be model stream Nature Play with kayaking, pond scooping, water quality testing, water survival game and crayfish hunting. On Friday, you can sign up at the nature center to take a tour of our waste water treatment plant at 1 p.m. On next Saturday, you can get involved with river cleanup, water quality testing and storm drain labeling. You will have an opportunity to earn a free kayak or canoe rental for your participation. Call the nature center for details and to get signed up at 507-437-7519. Check this out on their web site at www.hormelnaturecenter.org.

Pool

Join us on Friday for the free “Family Fun Night” at the municipal pool, from 7 to 9 p.m. A big thank you to our sponsors, VFW, Austin Eagles and APAC this event would not be possible without them. APAC will be giving away towels to the first 200 students to enter the pool, our deejay, Dee Randall is back to play some tunes and games will be played again, run by our summer recreation assistant Molly Noterman. Last year there were 286 in attendance and fun was had by all. See you there.

Pool hours are: 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday; 7 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings; 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 7 p.m. on Sunday. 

On July 21, 22 and 23 we will be hosting the Minnesota Regional Championship meet. The pool will be closed for public swimming however we plan to have the splash pad open during these times free of charge. Season membership can be purchased at our office, located in City Hall, or at the pool during open hours. Rates are $30 per person, we do not offer a family pass. Daily admission is $3 for the afternoon sessions and $2 for the evening sessions, those 2 and under are free. Everyone entering the pool must purchase a pool membership or pay the daily fee. Register for swimming lessons, classes are offered from 10 a.m. to Noon and 4:45 to 6:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Please check availability at our office.

Volleyball 

Students interested in volleyball can sign up for the Austin Volleyball Camp at our office. Camp dates are July 17-19, and it will be held in the Austin High Packer Gym. The cost is $35 which includes a T-shirt and is open to those students in grades 3 to 12. Students in ninth to 12th grades meet from noon to 2 p.m.; sixth to eight grade from 2 to 4 p.m.; third to fifth grade from 4 to 5:30 p.m. If you have questions, you may contact Cindy Owen at cindyo1978@gmail.com.

Riverside Arena

Riverside Arena schedule: Rent the arena for a skating party, call our office for details at 507-433-1881. It’s a great place to cool down this summer and still get the benefit of some exercise. Make sure to like us on Facebook so you receive up to date information.

Riverside Figure Skate Club: Summer session: check their Facebook page.

Adult Open Hockey: No open hockey on Wed, July 12. We will resume on July 19 at 6:30 – 8 p.m.

Public skate: 6:15 to 7:30 p.m. on July 20 and July 27, and 4 to 6 p.m. on July 24. The cost is $4 to skate, plus $1 if you need to rent skates. Skate from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on July 10 and 11 for $2 with $1 skate rental if needed.

Stick time:  3 to 4:45 p.m. on July 16, 5:30 to 7 p.m. on July 28 and 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Aug. 3. 

Free goalie clinic: 5 to 6 p.m. July 9 and 4:30 to 6 p.m. July 16, plus more to come.

Austin Bruins

The Austin Bruins main try-out camp is coming July.

Registration is at 1 p.m. on July 11 with mini games at 3 to 9 p.m. Games will then be played 8 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. on July 12 and 10 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. on  July 13. From 10 to 11:15 a.m. on July 14 the first all star game  will be held and the final all-star game will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.

Rentals

Many of our park pavilions are available for rent to ensure that you have a spot for your family gathering. The smaller gazebo or pavilions rent for $40 and are located at the following parks: East Side Lake Gazebo, Horace Austin Gazebo, Lafayette Park Pavilion, Lion’s Park East and West Pavilion and Todd Park No. 3 South Pavilion. The two larger pavilions’ in Todd Park No. 1 northwest large pavilion and No. 2 northeast large pavilion rent for $70. The Veterans Pavilion is located in Bandshell Community Park and rents for $125 and requires a $100 deposit. All Gazebo’s or Pavilions fall under park rules which means that your event needs to be done at 10:30 p.m. Parks open for the season around April 15 and close no later than October 15 depending on weather. Call our office for availability at 507-433-1881.