Renovations Stalled and Still No Water at Event Center

by Trinity Gruenberg

trinity@inhnews.com

The Wadena County Commissioners held their regular meeting on Tuesday, January 6. Commissioner Ron Noon was elected board chair and Brian Winkles as vice chair.

Still No Water At Event Center

Dan Sartell from the Friends of Wadena County Youth explained that a contractor had pulled a permit to extend the water main into the building but failed to complete the work, leaving the facility without water and stalling further renovations, such as making the bathrooms ADA compliant. Sartell asked to collaborate with the county engineer and maintenance staff to identify a new contractor to complete the water extension.

The discussion highlighted the complications arising from changes to the project’s scope. Originally, updates to the facilities were manageable within the available budget. Still, state and public use requirements expanded the project to include offices, fire-suppression sprinklers, and new HVAC systems, increasing costs and complexity. As a result, the project now requires a formal procurement and bidding process in accordance with state and county regulations.

County Engineer Anthony Maule clarified that bringing water into the building is part of the larger remodel, meaning it cannot be bid as a separate or piecemeal project. There was also debate about how to move forward quickly while remaining legally compliant, with board members noting that the lack of water and HVAC prevents other renovations.

Commissioner Jon Kangas voiced strong reservations about the project’s direction and the county’s escalating involvement. He questioned whether it was appropriate for the county and its taxpayers to assume responsibility for what had been initially planned as a smaller, community-led endeavor. Kangas was particularly concerned about staff time being diverted from other county duties and about the use of limited county funds for what he described as added project features that were not part of the original intent...

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