This summer, locals will be able to satisfy their thirst and support the new Forest Lake sports complex by purchasing private label bottled water.

It’s one of several fundraising efforts underway by the Forest Lake Area Athletic Association (FLAAA), which is building and managing a new arena and field house in the sports complex south of the airport.

FLAAA needs to raise $1.2 million in donations to complete funding for the facility.

“Bottled water is something that everybody can use, whether they participate in sports or not,” said Larry Porter, FLAAA’s gambling manager, who also sits on the Executive Board of the Arena and Field House Steering Committee.

“We want this facility to be a true community-built building,” Porter continued, “all the way from the $1 contribution by someone who buys a bottle of water to the families that donate in the six figures to businesses that provide in-kind donations. In fact, we already have numerous in-kind donation offers for materials and labor.”

The bottled water, which debuted last weekend at a FLAAA softball tournament in Columbus, is being sold this weekend at DummyFest, the annual outdoor music festival at Dummys Bar and Grill on Highway 97. And for attendees with more adult tastes, the group will also be selling $5 stamps good for $1 off every beer purchased at DummyFest.

The group expects to raise a good portion of funds at the upcoming July Fourth celebration. They will operate a booth on Broadway selling their water and steak- and pork-chops-on-a-stick donated by Heitala’s Old World Meats.

“The Forest Lake Fourth of July celebration attracts people from all over and is six days long this year,” said Jason Dahly, a Steering Committee member who is coordinating the event. “It’s a great opportunity for us to get visibility and support for the project from people all across the North Metro who can benefit from the facility.”

Other opportunities for local residents to support the facility include:

Advertising

Advertising opportunities include large backlit signs in the main arena, banners in the field house, locker room signs and lobby schedule board signs.

“We’ve already started selling ads and local businesses have been very receptive,” said Tal Gravelle, a Steering Committee member who is leading a team of ad sales reps.

“Businesses recognize they’ll have a captive audience of about 35,000 people each year at the facility, with a good mix of both locals and out-of-town people who will be looking for places to eat and shop between games.”

For more information on advertising, contact Tal Gravelle at 651-464-8097.

Wall of Honor and Puck Wall

The group is selling plaques for the wall of honor, with levels ranging from $10,000 to $1000, as well as personalized pucks for $50.

“We’ve had young kids tell us they want to help build this, too” said FLAAA’s Porter. “The puck wall is an opportunity for kids to save up their allowances and birthday money and feel like they’re making a difference, too. Plus, they’ll get to see their names in the arena lobby every time they come,” he said.

Donation brochures will be available at the group’s Fourth of July booth as well as at area businesses within the next few weeks. For more information or to make a donation, contact Larry Porter at 612-716-7496.

Donate used cell phones, ink cartridges and DVDs

FLAAA has teamed up with EcoPhones to host a local recycling program. For every used cell phone, inkjet printer cartridge and DVD collected at select drop-off sites, FLAAA will earn money. The national recycler pays an average $10-$50 for cell phones, $5 for inkjet cartridges and $1 for DVDs.

Even non-working items are eligible for the program; they’re recycled in accordance with state and federal Environmental Protection Act guidelines. Items that are still working are refurbished and reused.

“We’ve all heard about global warming, and this is a way for individuals to play a small part in helping the environment,” Porter said.

Drop-off locations include the Forest Lake VFW; ABBA Trophy, and Mainstreet Bank on Lake Street in Forest Lake; and any of the five Village Banks, including East Bethel.

Top of Page