West Fargo Focus July 2023

EDITOR

Wendy Reuer wreuer@forumcomm.com

701-241-5530

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR

Lisa Tillotson ltillotson@forumcomm.com

701-241-5524

MULTIMEDIA SALES CONSULTANTS

Jessie Andren jandren@forumcomm.com

701-241-5451

Tim Couchman tcouchman@forumcomm.com

701-241-5490

Jamie Dettling jdettling@forumcomm.com

701-241-5493

Keith Harriger kharriger@forumcomm.com

701-241-5435

Jamie Holte

Cruise Night season begins in The Downtown Yards on Sheyenne in West Fargo

By City of West Fargo Staff

Cruise Night, a summer celebration presented by the City of West Fargo, West Fargo Events and Toppers Car Club, returns to The Downtown Yards on Sheyenne district in West Fargo. The next Cruise Night of the season will take place from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Thursday, July 20, on Sheyenne Street from Main Avenue W. to 7th Avenue W.

During the event, classic cars and motorcycles can line Sheyenne Street and attendees can cruise one-way, southbound starting at Main Avenue W. Food vendors will also be available near the POW/MIA Plaza. Businesses in The Yards Business Association will also be open during the event.

CRUISE NIGHT: Page 5

During the event, classic cars and motorcycles can line Sheyenne Street and attendees can cruise one-way, southbound starting at Main Avenue W. City of West Fargo

Calendar of Events

MONTHLY

Airport Authority

5:30 p.m. last Thursday of every month

@ West Fargo Municipal Airport Terminal Building

Baby Boost Story Time (ages 0-2 + their adults)

Every Friday, 10:30-11:30a.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

City Commission

5:30 p.m. first and third Monday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Forestry Committee

5:15 p.m. second Tuesday of February, April, June, August and November

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Library Board

5:30 p.m. second Thursday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Liquor Control Board

1 p.m. second Tuesday of every month

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Park Board

5:30 p.m. second Wednesday of every month

@ Rustad Recreation Center

Planning and Zoning Commission

5:30 p.m. second Tuesday of every month and the fourth Tuesday if needed

@ Commission Chambers, West Fargo City Hall

Public Art Advisory Committee

5:30 p.m. Wednesday of every month

@ Virtual, visit westfargond.gov for link

Ready to Read Story Time (ages 3-5 + their adults)

Every Wednesday, 10:30-11:30a.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

School Board

6 p.m. second and fourth Monday of every month

@ Leidal Education Center

WFACP Card Games - Whist

Every Wednesday, 12:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

JULY

WFACP Saturday Senior Breakfast (free-will offering)

July 1, 9-10 a.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Monday Matinee: “Top Gun Maverick”

July 3, 1:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP Cards/Whist

July 5, 12:30p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

West Fargo Events Carnival

July 6, 6 p.m.

@ Essentia Health Plaza at the Lights

WFACP Crafts

July 10, 12:15 p.m

@ West Fargo High Rise

Monday Matinee: “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”

July 10, 1:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Summer Teen Book Club

July 10, 3:30-4:30p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Outdoor Movie NightEncanto

July 10, 7 p.m.

POW/MIA Plaza

WFACP Prize Bingo

July 11 12:15 p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

WFACP Cards/Whist

July 12, 12:30p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Job Service ND Available for Walk-Ins

July 12, 1-3 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Soup & More

July 13, 5 p.m.

@ Blessed Sacrament Church

Kids CraftFriendship Bracelets

July 13, 6:30-7:30p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Monday Matinee: “Our Friend”

July 17, 1:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

WFACP Monthly Meeting

July 18, 12:15 p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

WFACP Cards/Whist

July 19, 12:30p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Novel Afternoons

Book Club

July 19, 1-2 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Teeter Tots

Storytime

July 20, 10:15-11 a.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Third Thursday Book Club

July 20, 1:30-2:30p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Cruise Night

July 20, 4:30p.m. - 9 p.m.

@ Downtown West FargoSheyenne Street and POW/ MIA Plaza

WFACP Games - Chicken Foot

July 25,, 12:15 p.m.

@ West Fargo High Rise

Monday Matinee:

“The Banshees on Inisherin”

July 24, 1:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Gardening Club

July 25, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Free Family Movie:

“Finding Nemo”

July 26, 1:30p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

Soup & More

July 27, 5 p.m.

@ Blessed Sacrament Church

Books & Brews Community Book Club

July 27, 6-7 p.m.

Caribou Coffee (inside Hornbacher’s West Fargo)

FootloosePresented by Stage West

July 28-30 August 1-4,, 7:30p.m.

@ Essentia Health Plaza at the Lights

Monday Matinee: “A Dog’s Way Home”

July 31, 1:30 p.m.

@ West Fargo Public Library

*West Fargo Area Community Program

CRUISE NIGHT From Page 3

No registration is required to participate with a classic car during the event. Classic car parking begins at 4:30 p.m. During the event, access to Sheyenne Street from side streets on the east and west sides of the road will be closed. There is no parking on Sheyenne Street in the event area beginning at 2 p.m. for event setup and the road will close at 4 p.m. Fourth Avenue W., just east of Sheyenne Street, will close beginning at noon for event vendor setup. A detour will be available on 1st Street for northbound traffic between Main Avenue W. and 7th Avenue W. during the event.

The remaining Cruise Nights will take place Thursday, Aug. 17 and Thursday, Sept. 14.

Young Cruise Night Attendees admire A classic Ford F-100 Pick-Up. City of West Fargo

Corvettes and ice cream can’t be beat during West Fargo Cruise Night on Sheyenne Street on Thursday, June 15, 2023. Dave Samson/The Focus

West Fargo Police Officers interact with Night to Unite attendees.

City of West Fargo

NEWS AND FEATURES

West Fargo Police Department to host annual Night to Unite event Tuesday, Aug. 1

By City of West Fargo Staff

The West Fargo Police Department is set to hold the annual Night to Unite event 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, at South Elmwood Park in West Fargo.

This yearly event brings community members together to have fun while learning about the different public safety agencies in the metro. The event will fill South Elmwood Park with demonstrations, food trucks, activities for all

ages, informational booths and more.

This year’s lineup for demonstrations includes the West Fargo Police Department, the K-9 Unit, SWAT team, bomb squad, the West Fargo Fire Department and accelerant detection canine, and more. Other activities include a live DJ, activities, and meet and greets with police. The event is available free of charge.

Attendees will receive bingo cards to complete activities throughout the event. Once completed, the bingo cards can be turned in to be entered into a prize drawing, including a bike giveaway.

For more information about Night to Unite and the West Fargo Police Department, connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at @WestFargoPolice.

Chief Denis Otterness assists young residents with their Night to Unite bingo card.. City of West Fargo

K-9 Thor and handler, Officer Oldham, getting ready for the K-9 Unit demonstration at Night to Unite. City of West Fargo

West Fargo Public Library’s Little Red Reading Bus summer route begins

By City of West Fargo Staff

The West Fargo Public Library’s Little Red Reading Bus will bring books, games, and other educational activities to six local parks weekly through Aug. 3. The weekly schedule is:

• Mondays 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Meadowlark Park (8873 Lost River Road, Horace)

• Mondays 7 to 8 p.m. Dakota Park (985 51st Ave. W., West Fargo)

• Tuesdays 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Rendezvous Park (1055 32nd Ave. W., West Fargo)

• Wednesdays 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Goldenwood Park (1330 5th St. NW, West Fargo)

• Wednesdays 7 to 8 p.m. North Elmwood Park (500 13th Ave. W., West Fargo)

• Thursdays 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Maplewood Park (1504 17th Ave. E., West Fargo)

There will be no stops Monday, July 3 through Thursday, July 6.

Little Red Reading Bus stops are free and open to the public, however, patrons must have a West Fargo Public Library card to take any books home with them. Those in need of a library card can sign up on the bus route, register online, or visit the library with their photo ID and proof of address.

A young reader enjoys a book from West Fargo Public Library’s Little Red Reading Bus stopped in Goldenwood Park. City of West Fargo

The Little Red Reading Bus brings books, games and other educational activities to local parks.

City of West Fargo

Besides playing, reading, and checking out books, Little Red Reading Bus visitors can also return West Fargo Public Library items on the bus route and pick up reserved holds and prizes won through the Summer Boost reading program.

Including the bus route, the library has over 120 special events, programs, and learning opportunities for all ages planned throughout the summer. All West Fargo Library events can be found at WestFargoLibrary.org.

City of West Fargo Fourth of July closures and schedule changes

By City of West Fargo Staff

The City of West Fargo will close Tuesday, July 4, in observance of the Fourth of July. There is no garbage collection on that day. To accommodate the holiday, Tuesday and Wednesday garbage routes will be collected Wednesday, July 5. Recycling service will be delayed by one day all week. The City Commission meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. Monday, July 3, has been cancelled. The next City Commission meeting will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, July 10.

On Tuesday, July 4, all municipal government buildings are closed to the public, including City Hall, Public Library, Sanitation, Public Works and the Transfer Station. Public safety agencies are in full operation but the West Fargo Police and Fire Department buildings are closed to the public.

For email or text message alerts regarding holiday closures and sanitation schedule changes, visit https://www.westfargond.gov/ list.aspx.

City of West Fargo fireworks reminders

The West Fargo Fire Department would like to send out a reminder to all residents regarding the use of fireworks within the limits of the City of West Fargo.

Any individual who is at least 12 years of age may use, explode or possess any retail fireworks within the limits of the City of West Fargo, commencing July 4 at 8 a.m. (CST), and ending July 4 at 11:59 p.m. (CST), and commencing Dec. 31 at 8 p.m. (CST) and ending Jan. 1 at 1 a.m. (CST). The individual use, explosion, or possession of fireworks at any other time during the year is prohibited.

No person shall ignite, discharge or use fireworks on publicly owned or controlled property, including but not limited to, park property, city or county

property, school property or federally owned property without prior written authorization from the governing board or authorized representative of the public entity, which owns or controls the property.

Fireworks are most safely disposed of when using a metal garbage container for soaking in water overnight before placing in a plastic bag or container.

The use of sky lanterns is illegal and all other fireworks shall be limited to a 1.4G firework. Regulations can be found on the City of West Fargo website under Chapter 12, section 12-0711.

Any complaints will be handled with the West Fargo Police Department and can result in fireworks taken away with the possibility of a fine. To report a complaint, please call (701) 515-5500. To report an emergency, call 911.

NEWS AND FEATURES

$133M bond referendum for WF schools heads to voters

By Wendy Reuer | The Focus

WEST FARGO — In four months West Fargo voters will decide whether to approve a $133.4 million bond referendum for building expansions and upgrades the West Fargo School District says is needed to keep up with explosive growth.

The West Fargo School Board on Monday, May 22, unanimously

approved sending the recommended bond referendum to voters on Sept. 26.

Projects included in the referendum were recommended by a “long-range facilities task force” comprised of community and district members who met once a month starting in late 2022 to decide on what needs the district should consider in a future

bond. Proposed projects would be added to the referendum if it received 80% approval.

Superintendent Beth Slette on Monday said the task force was the “largest we’ve had in our history,” comprising of parents, community members and leaders from West Fargo, Fargo and Moorhead.

Students eat lunch in the commons of Horace High School on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021, in Horace, North Dakota. Voters will decide in September if an addition should be made to the high school and Heritage Middle School. Michael Vosburg / The Focus

“We only ask taxpayers for the money when we know that we need it in the next five years,” Business Manager Levi Bachmeier said.

The final list includes everything from renovations, additions, expansions, land and an entirely new school.

Items in the bond referendum from previous meetings include:

• An additional elementary school to serve the Horace feeder system for $34.8 million.

• Expansion of Heritage Middle School from 900 to a capacity level of 1,200, for $19.6 million.

• Expansion to 1,500 capacity of Horace High School, which opened in 2021 with a capacity of 1,200, for $32.4 million.

• Adding a multipurpose room at West Fargo High School for $1.4 million.

• Additional land north of 12th Avenue North for an estimated $5 million.

• Cost sharing with West Fargo Hockey Association for a third sheet of ice at

Veterans Memorial Arena for $5 million.

• Equitable spaces for elementary schools, $1.9 million.

• Secondary flexible seating for $1.5 million.

• South Elementary improvements and expansion for up to $15.2 million.

• Early childhood special education expansion in the southern part of the district for up to $8 million.

• Renovation and expansions across existing district facilities for $11.2 million.

• Fire sprinkler systems for Westside, South and Eastwood Elementary Schools; increased interior door installation to provide additional protection in the event of a perimeter breach, and improvements and expansion of the district’s camera surveillance system for $2.2 million.

Frank Lenzmeier, a longtime resident and long-range facilities task force member during all three formations in 2015, 2018 WF SCHOOLS: Page 17

Grand Opening Specials!

Not all students are excited about summer vacation. Some students dread the loss of basic resources provided by school.

Dave Samson/The Focus

NEWS AND FEATURES

While some students dread summer break, F-M area schools, nonprofits hope to help

By Paige Naughton | The Focus

While many K-12 students in the FargoMoorhead area are ready to burst out of the school doors and into a three-month vacation, others aren’t so excited to leave the school year behind.

“There’s quite a few students who don’t want a summer break,” said Stacy King, a secondary school counselor for West Fargo Public Schools. Some students need stability and

resources that are provided to them during the school year, and other students simply love learning and being at school, she said.

School social workers do their best to set students up for success during the summer months, getting them set up with case managers and sending out emails with community resources for the summer, King said.

She noted that her office will hold emergency hours during the summer, but “typically we like to get them pretty set up for the summer,” she said.

Sometimes, however, that isn’t enough. When school is out, some students have less regular access to food and social services, as well as less time with their friends, said Robin

Nelson, member of the Fargo School Board and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley.

“(There are) some students that only receive support they need while they’re in school,” she said.

Staying busy

A common thread among students who dread summer is that they don’t have access to school-provided resources, and their parents are unable to provide them.

Nonprofits and schools in the FargoMoorhead area aim to make summer more enjoyable for students and their families through summer activities and camps, some of which are offered for free.

The YMCA of Cass and Clay Counties offers summer programs for K-12 students that give them “opportunities they might not otherwise have,” according to Taya Thielbar, a staff member of the YMCA’s Camp Koda, a day camp with a different theme each week.

The YMCA partners with Churches United to allow homeless children to attend the camps for free, she said.

The YMCA provides resources for students while they are at camp, Thielbar said, including supplies for crafts and art projects, a pool pass for the Moorhead

public pool, sunscreen and bug spray.

Some students may show up without a swimsuit on days when the camp will be going to the pool, and the camp will go out and purchase one for that student, she said.

“If their families can’t provide something they would need during the week, we make sure we get that for them,” Thielbar said.

Thanks to a generous donor, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Red River Valley will host the teen club for free this year, Nelson said. The club is for teens ages 13-17 or students in grades six through 12 and is open 12-6 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Families with existing memberships can register at connect.schoolcareworks. com/login.jsp, and new families can register at daycareworks.com/ registration/bgcrrv/start_registration. jsp#category5094.

The nonprofit also offers programming for children ages 5-12 for a fee. They accept child care financial assistance and have grants available for families in need, Nelson said. Programs for K-5 students are currently full, but families can apply for the waitlist at www.bgcrrv.org/ add-to-waitlist.

The Boys & Girls Clubs summer

programming is an opportunity for students who don’t enjoy summer as much to connect with resources they need, Nelson said.

Students often choose to come to the teen club because they are bored at home, she said, noting many are at an age where they can stay home alone but have a better experience at the teen club.

Metro area schools also offer opportunities to keep students busy in the summer.

Fargo, Moorhead and West Fargo public schools offer summer school classes for elementary, middle and high school students. High school students enrolled in summer courses may receive credits toward graduation.

Students can be referred for summer courses at all levels by their teachers, or in some cases they may elect to take summer classes, Fargo Public Schools spokeswoman AnnMarie Campbell said.

Fargo Public Schools also offers enrichment opportunities for students who have completed grades 2-5 for a fee.

The Moorhead Area Public Schools community education program has 23 enrichment opportunities for students this summer, district spokeswoman Brenda Richman said in an email to The Forum.

There is a fee associated with Moorhead’s programs, but there are “limited scholarship opportunities ... for community education programs to families that qualify,” Richman said.

Fighting hunger

Another prominent issue students face during the summer is hunger. At school, they can receive two meals each weekday. For families that rely on free or reduced-price lunches, the end of the school year can mark the start of financial struggle.

In an effort to ease that stress, all three metro school districts and some area nonprofits will offer free meals for students.

Fargo Public Schools offers free meals for students at summer school sites, Campbell said, noting the meals are open to all students but are offered around the summer school schedule.

The Moorhead Area Public Schools summer meal program begins May 31 and lasts until Aug. 18.

All children under 18 can receive both breakfast and lunch free of charge, according to a flier from Moorhead Area Public Schools. This year, all meals are required to be eaten on-site.

“Children’s nutritional needs don’t end when school ends,” said Ashley Schneider, food nutrition services director for the district.

West Fargo Public Schools will offer meals at Willow Park Elementary School and Sheyenne High School for children under 18, district spokeswoman Heather Leas said in an email to The Forum.

West Fargo also partnered with Great Plains Food Bank to provide meal boxes and fresh produce Tuesday evenings from June 13 to Aug. 15, Leas said. The food will be given out from 6 to 6:45 p.m. at Tintes Park and 7 to 7:45 p.m. at Wilds Park.

From food to camp, the community resources and opportunities for K-12 students in the Fargo-Moorhead area are offered with a common goal, Thielbar noted.

“We want to make sure that kiddos in our area get” the same opportunities,” she said.

Taking Aim

Red River Regional Marksmanship Center plans expansion project

By Thomas Evanella | The Focus

WEST FARGO — The Red River Regional Marksmanship Center has broken ground on an expanded gun training area that will double square-footage.

Lisa Dirk, project manager for the expansion and one of the center’s founders, said the new training area will be the fulfillment of the facility’s original vision. “We had always intended to add this additional space when the original group of people put a plan together,” Dirk told The Forum. “It’s just reached a point now where we’re in a position to do that.”

The Red River Regional Marksmanship Center got its start in 2009 with a pistol range. An accompanying rifle range opened in 2014. The marksmanship range is a volunteer-run, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The 18,000 square-foot expansion will include a 75-foot, 16 lane powder range for pistol and rifle use, a 20-point airgun range, and a pair of new classrooms.

The expanded facility will allow the Red River Regional Marksmanship Center to augment its existing offerings. Dirk said that having more space will allow the marksmanship center to offer more classes, more time slots and accommodate more people. “Our mission has always been to train and educate responsible and safe firearms users,” she said. “We are currently at a spot where we cannot accommodate all of the classes that people want or to be able to grow the amount of training that we can do.”

Among the center’s current programming is a youth program through the West Fargo Park District. The program trains children on BB guns up to standard firearms.

Classes for adults include training on home defense, situational awareness and concealed carry permitting. Also

offered is a hunting training program through the state of North Dakota. Anyone born after 1961, with some exceptions, must complete a hunter safety training program in order to apply for licenses.

With more and more groups, such as the North Dakota State University Marksmanship Club, using the center, Dirk said it was necessary to bolster the facility’s footprint. “We just want to be able to continue with the training and education of people, continue to give them a place where they can come practice their shooting skills safely,” she commented. “We just want to be there

for everybody that wants to use their firearms properly.”

Fundraising for the facility is ongoing. Thus far, the Red River Regional Marksmanship Center has raised $2.8 million, Dirk said, with the aim of raising another $1 million.

A groundbreaking ceremony for the project was scheduled to take place Friday afternoon, May 26. Construction equipment is expected to arrive on site in early June, Dirk said. The goal is to have both classrooms and the airgun portion up and running by the first quarter of 2024. The powder range is

expected to take longer to complete but also open in 2024.

Dirk envisions the expansion will make the Red River Regional Marksmanship Center the top firearm training facility in the area, a continuation of the original mission she and the other founders laid out. “There isn’t anyone else in this general area regionally that has a training center or facility like we’ll have. We’ll be the premier training center in probably the tri-state area,” she said.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Thomas Evanella at 701-241-5518 or follow him on Twitter @ThomasEvanella.

Lee Fonder, a range safety officer, is pictured at the Red River Regional Marksmanship Center in West Fargo on Wednesday, May 24, 2023. When people use the handgun lanes, Fonder is in the room with them, making sure safety rules are being followed. Chris Flynn / The Focus

and 2023, said the bond referendum is needed badly due to the fast growth of the district. It wouldn’t surprise him if the district eventually has to consider a fourth high school and feeder system, he added.

Bachmeier estimates that a successful $133.4 million bond impact would increase the mill levy by a range of 2 to 14 mills, depending on which projects the district decides to complete in any given year.

As a result, the highest increase to taxes to a home valued at about $100,000 would be $72. That number is not likely to be reached, however, Bachmeier said. The district is trying to keep the impact on taxpayers as small as possible, even after it is approved, he said.

Bachmeier said the impact could also be considerably less after the North Dakota Legislature passed a $500 property tax credit over the next biennium.

“Homes would need to have valuations exceeding $800,000 to pay more than their credit would be valued at under this proposal,” he said. “There was also a significant expansion of the homestead tax credit, providing significant relief to income-restricted residents over the age of 65.”

Bachmeier said the impact will be similar to the bond passed in 2018, which has been offset over the years by the growth and increasing valuations in the district.

“Yes, this is the biggest (bond) number in history, but the tax base is the biggest it’s ever been,” Bachmeier said. “The goal is to keep this as no more

burdensome than it was in 2018.”

Even with the highest projected bond and mill levy, the West Fargo School District taxes still remain lower than the Fargo School District. Despite the large bond referendums in recent years, the district has been able to hold its mill levy steady, or decrease it such as in 2022 when mills fell by 7.06 due to retired and restructured debt.

In recent years, voters have overwhelmingly approved referendums supporting additional space. In 2018, 71% of voters approved passing the $106.9 million referendum, which will be used to build a third high school and middle school as well as additions to elementary schools, security upgrades and three artificial turf fields.

The large bond was passed just three years after 80% of voters approved a $98.1 million bond in September 2015, which was used to build two elementary schools as well as the $18.5 million Hulbert Aquatic Center and a $16.5 million West Fargo Sports Arena.

A supermajority of 60% of voters is needed to approve the bond referendum.

West Fargo Public Schools surpassed Fargo in 2020 to become the state’s second largest school district, just behind Bismarck Public Schools with more than 12,700 students and three high schools that will be fed by 15 elementary schools in the fall of 2024 when Meadowlark Elementary School opens.

Readers can reach Forum reporter Wendy Reuer at wreuer@forumcomm. com or 701-241-5530.

“The goal is to keep this as no more burdensome than it was in 2018.”

- Levi Bachmeier

Submerge Church preparing for first service at South Pleasant Church in Bonanzaville

By Michael McGurran | The Focus

A Fargo church has a new location in the heart of Bonanzaville.

Submerge Church will hold its first service at the South Pleasant Church Sunday, June 4.

The historic church was built in 1890 in Christine, North Dakota. After over 100 years, it’s services closed in 2013. It was donated to Bonanzaville in 2015 by the citizens of Christine to replace the St. John’s Church which had burned down due to an electrical fire in 2014.

Submerge Church Head Pastor Paul Letvin said his congregation consists of around 50 to 60 people any given Sunday, and he’s hoping the stable

location will help draw in new members.

“We know that some people will be coming simply for the historical and nostalgic aspects of the building, which is wonderful,” Letvin said.

Submerge Church is a church plant from Cottonwood Community Church in Grand Forks and they began holding services at the Boys and Girls Club of the Red River Valley in 2014. From there, the pandemic forced them to briefly hold services online.

Letvin said after bouncing between locations since the pandemic, they’re looking forward to finally having a regular space for services.

“Getting to be in more of a permanent location, where we know that we can be more directly impacting the community, giving back to the community, being team players within the metro area, and making it a great place to live, that’s really probably the biggest thing that we’re excited about,” Letvin said.

The church plans to team up with Bonanzaville for Pioneer Days this summer, working in an old fashioned Sunday Church service.

South Pleasant Church has been in Bonanzaville since 2015, after it was retired from services in Christine, North Dakota. Michael

McGurran /The Focus

*All dates and times are subjecttochange.

Black = Multiple Schools Green = West Fargo High School

Orange = Sheyenne High School

Gold = Horace High School

JULY 9

7-8:30 p.m.

Wrestling Open Gym

@West Fargo High School

- B 109B (Wrestling Room)

JULY 11

7-9 a.m.

Volleyball All Team

@West Fargo High School

- Gym- Main- All Courts

JULY 13

7-9 a.m.

Volleyball All Team

@West Fargo High School

- Gym- Main- All Courts

JULY 16

7-8:30 p.m.

Wrestling Open Gym

HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITY CALENDAR

@West Fargo High School - B 109B (Wrestling Room)

JULY 18

7-9 a.m.

Volleyball All Team

@West Fargo High School

- Gym- Main- All Courts

JULY 20

7-9 a.m.

Volleyball All Team

@West Fargo High School

- Gym- Main- All Courts

JULY 23

7-8:30 p.m.

Wrestling Open Gym

@West Fargo High School

- B 109B (Wrestling Room)

JULY 24

2 p.m.

Volleyball Summer Slam

@Sioux Falls

JULY 30

7-8:30 p.m.

Wrestling Open Gym

@West Fargo High School

- B 109B (Wrestling Room)

For more information and/or schedule changes please visit www.west-fargo.k12.nd.us/Page/8662