by Dennis Dalman
Long-planned improvements to Watab Park in Sartell, including its popular wading pool, could be completed by spring 2019, especially if the city receives a parks grant.
The city council at its Feb. 26 meeting authorized the submission of a grant application by city staff for the park improvements. The grants are being given by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The total grant would cover the cost of the project, estimated at $282,000, but the city would be expected to pay back about half of that, $141,000. That city share of money could come from half-cent sales-tax revenue. The recipients of the grants will be announced in June.
Park improvements would include new playground equipment, rehab of the existing wading pool, new restrooms by the pool and resurfacing of the tennis courts.
If the grant is received, work could begin this fall. If the grant request fails, the city could decide to do the project anyway, possibly with funds from its interloan program.