Construction on most of the Invest in Willmar local option sales tax projects began over the summer. As weeks have gone by, the projects are starting to take shape. Shelby Lindrud / West Central Tribune
Local option sales tax projects an investment in Willmar’s future BY SHELBY LINDRUD West Central Tribune
WILLMAR — In a few short years the entire recreation landscape in Willmar has been turned on its head, thanks to the tireless effort of a group of residents, the city council and staff, as well as the residents themselves. Matt Dawson, Anthony Amon and Jon Konold first approached the Willmar City Council in May 2018 about bringing a $30 million, 13-year local option sales tax question to voters. The money raised by the proposed .5% increase in the city’s sales tax would pay for six projects: a recreation and event center, new and upgraded athletic fields, improvements
at both Robbins Island Regional Park and Swansson Field Recreation Complex, a project at the community center and stormwater improvements across the city. Dawson said he and the other founders of the Invest in Willmar sales tax program were tired of comparing Willmar’s old or lacking recreation facilities to what could be found in other regional centers and decided to act. “We want nice things for our kids. Anytime you have nice facilities it helps get kids and people excited,” Dawson said.
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By November 2018, the Invest in Willmar local option sales tax group was formed and the tax was approved by 60% of the city’s voters. Revenue collection began in October 2019, after the sales tax increase was given final approval by the state legislature. Construction on the recreation projects began in fall 2020. “It is nice to see some progress,” Dawson said, especially when one throws in the unplanned pandemic and the impact it had on the timeline. Robbins Island was the first project to reach the construction stage. The $3 million project — split into two
