You have only missed one night and can still sign up for our new street hockey.

Ages 3 to 5 will play in tennis shoes only and those 6 to 14 can play in tennis shoes or rollerblades from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights in the Packer Arena parking lot starting May 16, 23, 30 June 6, 13, 20 and 27.

The cost is $30 and you sign up online through the link on our City web page at www.ci.austin.mn.us. Click on “City Departments” then click on online registration.   

You will need a helmet, shin and elbow pads, gloves and a stick.

Swimming pool

Have you driven past the Austin Municipal Pool lately?

If you haven’t you should check out the two new slides.

The pool opens at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 11. You can get you pool membership online at the link above. The fee is $40 per person.   

Daily fees are $4 per person for the afternoon session and $2 for our evening sessions.  The first session of swim lessons begins on June 18 and you can sign up online.

We also have aqua Zumba and deep-water fitness classes available beginning June 11, check out the classes in our summer brochure and sign up online. You do not need a pool membership to join a fitness class. Your pool membership will allow you to swim during adult lap swim from noon to 1 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Camps

There will be a tennis camp June 11-22 at the Paulson Tennis Courts located at Wescott Field. Camp will be held Monday to Thursday with Fridays as rain days. Grades 5-6 are from 9-10:30 a.m. and grades 7 -12 are from 10:30 a.m. to noon.  The cost is 25 per person, sign up on-line at our site on the city web page.

With parks getting into full swing it is time to remind everyone about the Pet ordinance: “Except as hereinafter provided, no pet animals, including horses, are permitted in public parks.  Except for horses pet animals are permitted on all public trails and park roadways with the exception of the three fenced ball complexes: Todd Park North and South and RCC. While using the public trails and park roadways, pet animals shall be adequately restrained by a durable leash, cord, chain or other similar restraint and the pet animals shall be under the direct control of their owner, except that pet animals under the supervision of their owner may be unrestrained in the area designated as the dog park.”

The Dog Park area is located east of South Main Street between First and Second Street SE along the north side of the river.

Special deer hunt

The city has submitted an application to the DNR to hold a special deer hunt again this fall.

Our application will not be available until we have been accepted.

In the meantime, there are opportunities to take the proficiency test which is a prerequisite to being eligible to hunt.  Our application form will be available to all that pass their proficiency and have completed their bowhunter education course.   

Testing will be held at the Cedar River Archery Club is located at 54691 270th St, Austin MN 55912. 

The fee will be $5 per shooter and will take place from an elevated platform at a distance of 20 yards. You will only have one chance to qualify during the following dates from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 9-10; July 14-15  Sept 8-9.   

Not a member? You can pay a non-member fee and participate or better yet join the club.

Power plant construction

Construction will continue on the redevelopment of the downtown power plant site throughout the summer of 2018 and into the 2019 construction season.

Upcoming work on the site will include completion of the building demolition, flood levee construction and rec center construction. In order to secure the construction site for safety of the public, workers and equipment a portion of the pedestrian trail will be closed during the summer of 2018 from the library to the pedestrian bridge.

To take the alternate route on the sidewalk over the 4th Street bridge and back on the trail north past Packer Arena.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may provide, but we feel it is best for the safety of all. If you have any questions, please contact the Public Works Department at 507-437-9950.