Activity-filled day to raise funds for aquatic center

RANDOLPH — More than $20,000 has been raised for the proposed Randolph aquatic center. And momentum is building, or should we say, flying high with a disc golf tournament and other activities planned for the coming weekend to raise additional funds.

Randolph Park Board President Julie Kint said she has been pleased with the response since fundraising began this Spring. First State Bank donated $10,000 as the largest donation thus far for the project.

The total cost of the proposed aquatic center is $1.1 million and will include a zero-entry pool, five water features, a new slide, climbing wall, an updated pool house and three shade structures.

The city is looking to raise about $400,000 through fundraising activities and private donations. That amount is necessary to secure grants for the remainder of the project.

In an effort to raise money, the Park Board brainstormed fundraising activities and three of those events are planned for Saturday, Aug. 7.

The city’s first disc golf tournament is open to individual players from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and consists of three rounds with staggered play, said Jacob Svitak. He is the tournament director along with Jessie Kohl of Norfolk. Individuals will keep score on paper and turn it in after three rounds. Players with the lowest score in each age division (18 and under, 18-40 and over 40) win a champion custom-dyed disc designed for Svitak. Along with the nine-hole course, side challenges have been established including the Longest Drive, Longest Putt and Hole-in-One challenges. Winners of the side challenges will be awarded free raffle tickets to win a custom Svitak-designed disc. Raffle tickets will also be sold.

“I’m a little jealous they’re (custom discs) not mine,” Svitak said. “They turned out really good.”

Svitak said he’s been playing disc golf for the past two years and hopes the tournament encourages more people to give the sport a try.

“We just want the sport to grow and more people to be playing. We’re a very welcoming community and willing to teach, train and encourage,” he said.

It’s helpful that Randolph’s “short” course is a beginner’s dream with the longest shot at only 200 feet, Svitak said.

Players will only need one or two discs for the tournament, he said, and registration is $15 and available online at bit.ly/3rQPy0w or the day of the tournament starting at 8 a.m.

To keep the fun - and funds - rolling, the Park Board is sponsoring a pool party at the Randolph City Pool from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday for $1 per swimmer. From 7 to 9 p.m., dogs will be allowed to swim for $1 per animal.

“Last year was the first year we had the pool season close out with a dog swim,” Kint said. “It was a hoot to watch. That’s an event in itself.”

There will be an outdoor Family Movie Night At the Park to bring the day’s activities to an end. “Finding Dory” will be projected onto a large silage tarp near the backstop on the grass baseball field by the pool.

The movie is available with a donation entry. Movie-goers should bring their own lawn chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available with all the proceeds going to the aquatic center project.

With three different events in one day there’s a little something for everyone, Kint said.

“We’re not sure what to expect - just hoping for a good turnout,” she said.

The Randolph Park Board continues its weekly Farmers Market on Saturday mornings with the $10 vendor fee going to support the aquatic center as well. Those interested can sign up at the Randolph City Office.

The Park Board also plans to host a Chili Cook Off event this Fall to raise funds.

Anyone interested in donating to the aquatic center project, can do so at the Randolph City Office. All checks should be marked “Pool Project” and made payable to the Randolph Area Foundation so that the gifts are deductible.

Stay in the know!

To get news alerts on your cell phone, get the Cedar County News app in the ITunes store or  in the Google Play Store.