Fergus Falls Council Seeks $2 Million Grant for Pebble Lake Recreation Facility

The Fergus Falls City Council voted March 16 to authorize a $2,000,000 grant application targeting the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, with the money earmarked to design and construct a year-round, multi-use recreational facility on the grounds of the City-owned Pebble Lake Golf Course.

The push came after a series of discussions between the City and Pebble Lake Golf Club about the need for a clubhouse capable of operating through all four seasons. Because LCCMR funding supports projects tied to Minnesota's environment and natural resources, the planned facility would serve a broader purpose than a typical golf clubhouse: the design calls for supporting cross-country skiing, ice skating, and regional trail access for bikers and hikers, while also boosting summer programming at the public beach.

City Administrator Andrew Bremseth framed the grant strategy around keeping costs off local property owners. "What we're trying to do is get this funding, which would provide enough funding, coupled with local pledges, to ensure that a lot of these things happen without putting it on the backs of the local tax payers," Bremseth said.

The LCCMR requires grant recipients to contribute at least 25% of total project funds as a local match. Community Development Director Klara Beck has set a more ambitious target: a 50/50 split between the $2,000,000 grant and local pledges, which would make the total project value $4,000,000. No details on existing pledges or committed local funding sources have been disclosed.

The LCCMR accepts grant requests for projects that help maintain and enhance Minnesota's environment and natural resources and safeguard the state's air, water, land, and wildlife, with the relevant funding cycle referenced in connection with a July 1, 2027 start date. The city has not announced a timeline for submitting the application or confirmed when an award decision would be expected.