PEQUOT LAKES — The iconic Pequot Lakes bobber water tower is in immediate need of a paint job and a donation drive is looking to raise $90,000 to cover the costs.
A Facebook post from the Pequot Lakes Chamber of Commerce announced the fundraising campaign alongside a closeup drone shot of the red and white bobber. Minnesota’s harsh elements have peeled paint, left areas to rust and the lettering is fading.
The chamber stated it needs to raise three-quarters of the cost by the end of May to stay locked into the painting quote.
"The Bobber Tower is part of each of us," the post states. "Let’s work together to restore this community icon so it can continue to be a symbol of Pequot Lakes for years to come."
Pequot Lakes Mayor Tyler Gardner said the city and chamber each contributed $10,000 toward the cause. Beyond painting, Gardner said the standpipe that once fed water needs to be removed.
"It’s falling apart, so we want to remove it so it’s not a safety hazard," Gardner said in a phone interview Thursday.
The water tower was built in 1960 but wasn’t painted as a bobber until almost 30 years later. It was replaced with a newer tower in 1999, which was later also painted as a bobber.
Gardner said he’s been questioned about why the city isn’t paying for the original tower’s upkeep. But he noted the city signed an agreement in 2006 that placed the chamber in charge of maintenance and repairs for the next 20 years.
He said this way, people can choose to support the fundraising effort instead of the tower's repair being funded with taxpayer dollars.
"That's the last thing on our list is keeping the bobber pretty," Gardner said. "We -- it's important to us, but there's so many bad roads and like a lot of things that need money and attention that we don't have the money for, because we don't want to raise taxes every year."
Those interested in donating can do so by visiting this link.
