Recreation center opens

Third part

of projects

complete

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- The third part of New Ulm's triple crown of recreation facilities went online Friday afternoon as the Vogel Arena Family Recreation Center officially opened to the public.

Mayor Joel Albrecht cut the ribbon at the recreation center that houses a walking and running track, basketball, volleyball and tennis courts.

The event followed the opening of the civic center at the fairgrounds that houses two sheets of ice and the community center on North German Street.

"We're the envy of many cities in the state," Albrecht said. "I'd like to thank everybody that worked so hard on these projects. What a marvelous event this is. The needs of the community are truly addressed."

Albrecht said he intends to sign up for a recreation center membership and do some walking, something he should have started long ago.

While many children splashed in the Vogel Arena indoor pool, other kids played basketball, tennis and ping pong at the recreation center.

Joe Petersen, 11, and his brother Erick, 15, both of New Ulm, played basketball on a court inside the walking and running track as rock music played softly in the arena.

"It's really nice," said Joe, who attends Holy Trinity Middle School.

Andrew Walser and Jacob Thunander, both 11 and 6th-graders at Washington Elementary School, played tennis with each other.

"It's really cool, I like it a lot," Andrew said.

The field house is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Annual passes are available for use of the open gym, exercise room, swimming pool, and meeting rooms. Meeting room rentals must be scheduled and are based on availability.

Walkers and runners can use the track for $1 per day. Monthly and annual passes are available for the track and basketball and volleyball courts that can be reserved.

Youth indoor tennis lessons in the field house will be given for six weeks, from Oct. 21 to Nov. 25. For more information, call Willis Runck at 359-4308, New Ulm Tennis Association President Norm Kopp at 359-1160 or Secretary Barb Hildebrandt at 354-6185.

Youth volleyball will be held in the field house for grades 3&4 from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. and for grades 5&6, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays through Oct. 29.