AREA SERVICES

At the time of its formation, the Waconia Lions Club recognized that the community was in need of house numbering, street signs, mail delivery, and garbage disposal services. The club quickly formed special committees and went to work on all of these projects.

OPERATION CHERRY TREE

The club sponsored “Operation Cherry Tree” in the late 1940s to remove dead trees and brush that had grown along the south shore and beach areas of Lake Waconia after the level of the lake fell drastically in the 1930s.

LAKSIDE PARK

Lakeside Park, the beach and picnic grounds on the east side of Lake Waconia, was also created through the efforts of the Waconia Lions Club. The club raised the funds necessary to purchase the land, develop the picnic area of the park, and provide both a steel dock and a lifeguard boat for the beach. In the summer of 1948 the club built a crib for storing live fish as a first step in getting more desirable fish into Lake Waconia. This fish seining operation was continued by the club for several years thereafter. Lakeside Park was finally given to the city by the club in 1965, and has subsequently been turned over to Carver County.

ISLAND VIEW GOLF COURSE

In 1958 the Waconia Lions Club members helped in the development and clearing of the land for a golf course. The final result was Island View Golf Course, which included both clubhouse and dining facilities. In September 1977 the club began holding its meetings at Island View and we have been meeting there ever since!

HEALTH CARE

As members of our community, the club members understand the importance of having easy access to good health care. Over the years the Waconia Lions Club has played an active role in sponsoring, improving, and providing health care options to area residents. Highlights are as follows:

• Pledging $6,200 to the Ridgeview Hospital building fund in 1961
• Providing $2,000 to Ridgeview Hospital to furnish a semi-private hospital room
• Sponsoring a Heart Fund Drive
• Working with the Fire Department to sponsoring free chest x-rays
• Donating to the Health Fair held at the hospital in 1981
• Purchasing 3 specialized geriatric chairs for the Nightingale Nursing Home in 1993
• Sponsored numerous glaucoma clinics & the bi-annual American Red Cross Bloodmobile
• Contributed $100 toward the purchase of CPR training equipment
• The purchase of eye glasses for those in need
• Contributed toward the purchase of an ambulance for Ridgeview Hospital