The opening of the new mini golf course in Fairmont will be celebrated from 3-6 p.m. Sept. 22 with a planned ribbon cutting, food vendors and kids activities. Located between the Fairmont Dog Park and the Fairmont Aquatic Park, the free course will mark completion of the second project for the Kids Just Want to Have Fun Committee, which oversaw the fundraising and construction of the free indoor playground at the mall which opened in February 2018.

The committee initially presented its proposal for a nine-hole mini golf course in August 2018 to the Fairmont Park Board, receiving that body’s endorsement.

“The total cost was about $65,000. We started fundraising and writing grants last fall,” said Meghan Slama, committee member. She cited a $25,000 contribution from the city’s liquor store funds as a big boost in the collection efforts.

Each of the nine holes has a business sponsor who contributed $1,000 to the cause. Hole sponsors include Green Mill, Fairmont Ford, Mayo Clinic Health System, Profinium, friends and family of Bruce Larson, Larson and Olsen Dental, ECFE and Fairmont Area Schools, Sweet Financial and Becker Storage.

“We hardly had to advertise to get businesses to sponsor the holes. Everybody was really excited to be a sponsor,” said Kristy Olson.

Sponsors worked with the committee to develop a concept or theme for each hole to highlight the sponsor’s business.

Golfers can check out clubs and balls from the Martin County Library and the Fairmont CER office at Fairmont Elementary School. During the summer season, equipment will be available at the aquatic park. The method and length of time for equipment is still to be determined.

“Each place will have their own criteria for how you check out equipment,” said Betsy Tino. “We’re also look at a few businesses in town that are open longer hours.”

Saying they work well together to plan and finance the project, committee members expressed their delight with the ultimate design and end result of the course. They credit the help of Troy Nemmers, city engineer, and Nick Lardy, park and street department superintendent, for their input and assistance, and Thomas Klanderud who is building a sign for his Eagle Scout project.

“This is all-inclusive for the whole family, from the smallest to the largest. It’s wheelchair accessible and stroller accessible,” Tino said.

“Mini golf is fun for families so we’re not going to stop at nine holes,” said Christine Hasek, revealing the committee’s plan to add another section to create an 18-hole course.

“Actually, we already have a waiting list of sponsors for some of the next nine holes,” Tino said.

For more information or suggestions, email fairmontareaminigolf@gmail.com. Donations are accepted at the Fairmont Area Chamber of Commerce, 323 E. Blue Earth Ave., and at Fairmont City Hall, 100 Downtown Plaza, P.O. Box 705.