ANOTHER PARK COMING A $75,000 contribution from the Otto Bremer Foundation will go a long way toward completing the fundraising for the Community Outdoor Fitness Park planned at the Minot Family YMCA. The goal had been to raise $792,000 for the project, which will circle the YMCA and include fitness stations, a park and a walking path. With the Bremer contribution, plans are now moving ahead. Equipment has been ordered, and the schedule calls for the project to be completed in the summer of 2013. Brent Mattson, president of Otto Bremer Bank, said the project will provide Minot with an additional public park, increase opportunities for family time and provide easy access to fitness equipment. The Community Outdoor Fitness Park will make a great addition to the YMCA complex, and everyone involved in providing funding for the project deserves thanks. We look forward to the completion of the project, and we have no doubts it will be well-used by members of the public.
SCHOOL GROWTH The Minot Public School District faces some big decisions in the near future. Supt. Mark Vollmer said this past week that the district will hold public meetings in January and February to discuss a proposed $32 million bond issue to pay for the next phase of the district's plan to keep up with growing student enrollment. The plan would include a new elementary school, buying land to eventually build a new high school and an addition at an existing elementary school. Even with building a new Erik Ramstad Middle School, the district is projecting that it won't have enough space for middle school students in 2018. There are now 753 students in kindergarten, 625 in first grade and 626 in second grade. The district needs public opinion on these important projects, and we encourage everyone to attend the informational meetings when they are scheduled.