ABOVE: A look at the Budd Lake side parking lot near the boat launch at Gomsrud Park in Fairmont. Work to the parking lot is included in the Phase 1 Gomsrud Park project, which the city council discussed on Monday.

FAIRMONT– The Fairmont City Council on Monday heard a presentation from Wes Brown with Bolton & Menk on the phase one Gomsrud Park project. The council has been working on the phased project, which includes improvements to the parking lot and boat ramp, for the past few years.

Public Works Director, Matthew York, noted that the first phase of the project was expected to be completed last year; however, work never began as problems with the channel wall between Hall Lake and Budd Lake were first identified and needed to be addressed, which stalled the project.

“That is 85 percent completed and will be completed before the summer. This new phase one of Gomsrud Park is getting ready to be put out for bid so we can get the work completed yet later this summer,” York said.

Brown indicated that the city council first started working on the project back in 2022 with SJA Architects and that a master plan was developed from that partnership, which included an online survey with public input. Bolton & Menk later got involved with the design of the project and will be involved with the implementation as well.

“The master plan involves a number of different things like the boat trailer parking area, boat ramps, a future beach house and bath house…trails throughout the park, basketball courts, pickleball courts and reconstructing the sand volleyball courts,” Brown said.

In January 2023, the plan came before the council for approval. On Monday Brown shared a rendering of the plan for phase one with the council.

“For this first phase, construction of the boat ramp area, basically we’re proposing to reconstruct the boat ramps essentially in the same configuration as they are today– two ramps with a dock in between,” Brown said.

However, he said the parking lot will be done a little differently, with angled stalls for pulling into and backing out of. He he said there will be a trailer parking lot stall total of 25, which is down from the current 28.

The total estimate cost for phase one is $1.1 million, which includes the addition of trails. Brown said that bid results will come back to the council for consideration on May 13 and construction would start in mid-July, after the Fourth of July.

Council Member Britney Kawecki asked some questions about the funds being used to pay for the project.

Finance Director, Paul Hoye, said that $850,000 in local option sales tax money was first going to the project, but was removed and put toward the proposed community center. He said now the majority of the Gomsrud Park phase one project was being paid for with liquor store funds.

“I would whole-heartedly support the parking lot. I don’t like the design… but the ramps need to be done,” said Council Member Randy Lubenow.

The council will further discuss the matter at the May 13 council meeting.