Photo by Kirsten Zoellner
At the February 11 meeting, the Peterson Council heard from the developers of the proposed River Valley Resort. Area residents Matt and Jenny Helgemoe, who own a piece of agricultural land adjacent to the city, are in the process of developing a phased campground resort. According to City Clerk Chris Grindland, the plans currently include 25-50 campsites with the potential for future development, which may include additional amenities such as a full recreational vehicle hookups, bathhouse, and recreational areas.
The Planning Commission held an informational meeting recently regarding the development. No formal applications or approvals have been requested or granted. There will be multiple planning and review steps before anything will take shape. Some steps will require a public hearing so citizens can voice any support or concerns.
Planning Commission Chairman and City Councilor Tracy Seelbinder noted information is still being gathered, but that he looks forward to seeing the proposal.
The couple is working with an engineer on the plans and all will be developed within code and current zoning regulations. Matt Helgemoe stated they anticipate having a concrete, engineered plan within the next two weeks.
Grindland also noted that part of the planning is the financial aspects. The Planning Commission is designated to review and make recommendations to the council regarding the need for any development agreements and/or any development bond for financial security associated with proposals. Grindland explained the action is to review what may be city expenses and to protect taxpayer dollars.
Councilor Justin Simon asked whether the city’s water and sewer utilities are projected to handle the development needs and whether or not any proposal will be brought to city engineers to validate such things. According to Grindland, phase one of the development is both under the limits set for both water and wastewater. There are multiple approvals needed from the county, state, and other entities before any proposals would reach the council for consideration.
“Just make sure there’s an open flow of communication with us,” stressed Mayor Chris Stenzel, to which Helgemoe agreed.
In somewhat related news, a large-scale, one-time ministry event is coming to the same piece of land on August 29-30, 2026. Area resident Nikki Olson noted she’d had a vision for a “big tent revival coming to our soil,” and submitted a request to host the “Meet Me in the Water Revival” event from Kayla Gabbard Ministry last summer. Initially, she looked at a different property in the Rushford Peterson Valley, but eventually after talking with the Helgemoes, her aunt and uncle, the land became an opportunity.
“It’s a move of God, really,” said Olson. The revival event is in its third year, draws in thousands, and has seen 21,687 baptisms since 2023. “It’s a pretty amazing thing. They chose 10 locations in all of the United States and we were one of them.”
According to Olson, the ministry team and volunteers of 100 people arrive the Friday before the event and take care of every detail of the free event. She says it’s a “flow” of people and not everyone comes at once or stays the entire day. There is no registration and numbers of attendees aren’t known until the day of the event. Parking would be on the private site and volunteers would see to parking and traffic control, accessing the property next to Geneva’s Hideaway. A gravel access will be put in by the Helgemoes. The revival team also takes care of portable restrooms, a food truck, and more.
“We wanted to inform you and make sure it worked for you,” said Matt Helgemoe.
The council expressed no concerns other than potential adverse weather preparations and attendee safety.
Other agenda items from the meeting included approval for Councilors Seelbinder and Gail Boyum to attend a day at the capitol on March 11. The goal is to meet with legislators regarding city needs and determine whether or not progress has been made on specific items for which the city has already made known to its representatives.
“We haven’t heard anything in a while; would like to go up there, knock on doors, and see where we are at,” said Seelbinder.
Lastly, the council approved two public improvements. First, utilizing a Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation Paint the Town grant, a new gnome mural would be painted on the south side of the city campground. The total cost is $1,200, but only the paint is covered by the grant. Friends of Peterson will assist with the project. On the south entrance to the city, a custom welcome sign for the campground will be created. It’s estimated to be six feet in width and six feet in height, with five colorful flower planter boxes below. The council unanimously approved the projects and the grant application.
Leave a Reply