ByManisha Reddy
July 07, 2026 at 12:00 PM
A newly reorganized Wahpeton City Council heard sharply different visions Monday night for the community’s recreation future, as a longtime local businessman urged the city to scale back gym space planned for the new SPARC wellness center while Park Board representatives pushed back, insisting the facility cannot succeed without it
The July 6 meeting opened with the swearing-in of new council members by the city attorney, followed by the council’s biennial reorganization. Jason Goltz was elected council president, and Tiana Bohn was chosen vice president, both by unanimous voice vote. The council also approved committee assignments for Public Works and Finance
During public comment, local businessman Jay Schuler told the council he strongly supports both the SPARC and Infinity Center projects — particularly the addition of a second sheet of ice for hockey and figure skating — but suggested the two facilities risk duplicating basketball and court space on both sides of the Red River
Schuler pointed to what he called the “swimming pool mistake,” in which Wahpeton and Breckenridge, with a combined population of roughly 12,000, each built and maintained its own pool, with both facilities operating at a loss. He estimated the cost at nearly $100,000 per city each year. By his count, the area is poised to go from one community court to as many as seven between the two new facilities
“Let’s figure it out so what’s best for our community,” Schuler said, asking the city to meet with Infinity Center backers before designs are finalized
Mayor Brett Lambrecht and council members responded that Wahpeton has done its homework, including preparing an operations plan and budget for the SPARC, and said the city’s real competition for events and residents is Fargo-Moorhead, not Breckenridge. Goltz noted the recreation center was always presented to the public as a community facility first, with tournaments providing added value, and questioned whether Schuler — an Infinity Center investor through hockey — was asking the city to limit its own amenity. Schuler rejected that characterization, and both sides agreed to continue discussions, with city administration serving as the point of contact.
Wahpeton Park Board President Brian Watson followed with a defense of the planned gym space. He said Park and Recreation has been assigned to operate the new wellness center and currently runs its winter programming “at the mercy of the high school,” forcing first- and second-grader students into late-night practice slots
“That would be the equivalent of having a car without wheels,” Watson said of building the SPARC without activity space, adding that the flexible area would serve members, expand youth and adult leagues, and remain open to the public even during events
Finance Director Darcie Huwe told the council the preliminary 2027 budget and tax levy remain a work in progress, with a goal of presenting a balanced budget to the finance committee at its next meeting. The council referred the budget to committee
The council also approved a slate of 2026 appointments to city boards and commissions, including Michael Jacklitch to the Airport Authority
Police Chief Matthew Anderson reported 3,179 calls for service through June, a 14% decrease from the same period last year, which he attributed to extensive field training as the department works toward full staffing by mid-August. DUI arrests stand at 27 for the year, up considerably from 2025, while fraud and scam reports and mental-health-related calls continue to rise. Fireworks complaints during the July 4 holiday period totaled just six. The council approved a street closure on Dakota Avenue for a Sept. 10 classic car show.
In committee action ratified Monday, the council awarded the Lift Station No. 5 rehabilitation project to low bidder Northern Plains Contracting for $173,810, approved supplemental engineering agreements with Interstate Engineering for the Fourth Avenue and 11th Street North intersection project ($73,493) and the Legacy Lakes project ($111,584), and closed out the 2026 seal coat project under budget. Council member Steve Dale voiced concern that the Legacy Lakes spending had not received adequate discussion and suggested it be reviewed by the Finance Committee.
The council also awarded the city’s logo redesign contract to Absolute Studios for $3,900 from among seven proposals
The community development director Chris DeVries recapped a successful America 250 Fourth of July weekend, including a nine-inning Border Battle baseball game won by Breckenridge and a widely praised fireworks show. Residents were also reminded that the Borderline Chalk Fest, Headwaters Music Festival and a baseball tournament are expected to bring heavy traffic downtown this weekend
By
Manisha Reddy
Manisha Reddy is a reporter for the Wahpeton Daily News and Richland County News Monitor. Manisha can be reached by calling (701) 291-3581 or emailing manisha.reddy@wahpetondailynews.com.
Local
Richland County approves new Animal Control Ordinance, secures major road funding
8h ago
· By Manisha Reddy
Local
Fire damages Antelope Creek Bar and Grill in Mooreton
15h ago
· By Staff reports
Local
RRV&W marks America’s 250th anniversary with locomotive decals
15h ago
· By Manisha Reddy
Get Local
‘;
let script = document.createElement(“script”);
script.setAttribute(“data-widget-type”, “featured_jobs”);
script.setAttribute(“src”, “//widgets.recruitology.com/scripts/” + jobshqID +”.js”);
document.getElementById(“jobsHQ-hotjobs-list”).appendChild(script);
}
}
init()
Must Reads
North Dakota
Historic BNSF train stops in Grand Forks; will soon depart for Kansas
12h ago
· By Anthony Dillett
North Dakota
Crime in North Dakota down; attorney general pushes for sentencing reform as violent crime remains high
13h ago
· By April Baumgarten
North Dakota
ND lawmakers react to halted Capitol grounds construction project that ran out of money
13h ago
· By Amy Dalrymple / North Dakota Monitor
Lifestyle
Southwest Pulled Chicken is an easy option for a quick meal
14h ago
· By Sarah Nasello
