MARSHALL – When it comes to generating support and rallying to get something accomplished, very few communities have the track record of success like that of Marshall.

Only a half-year removed from winning the Minnesota Timberwolves’ “Our Courts. Our Future” basketball court contest that resulted in the construction of Carter’s Court at Independence Park, Marshall is inching towards winning a similar contest put on by the Minnesota Wild and U.S. Bank that will award one lucky community with an outdoor rink.

The contest began on Feb. 3 and will end on Saturday with eight communities vying to get the majority of the votes. As it currently stands, Marshall is in first-place with 31,284 votes–1,880 more than the next leading vote-getter in Duluth with 29,404 at press time. East Grand Forks, Hermantown, Park Rapids, Hallock, New Prague and Golden Valley round out the rest of the communities in contention.

Voting for the contest ends on Saturday so be sure to continue voting once a day per device (iPods, tablets, home computer, etc.) to ensure that Marshall maintains its place at the top. Minnesota House Rep. Chris Swedzinski has even released a statement imploring folks in the district to continue voting, so it’s practically your civic duty.

“Folks, remember to get on there and vote early, vote often, and let’s bring that rink to Marshall so, no matter where you live in southwestern Minnesota, you can benefit from that,” Swedzinski said.

If Marshall can maintain its first-place status and win the contest, the plan is to put the rink next to the Red Baron Arena.

Here is the link to vote: https://www.nhl.com/wild/fans/us-bank-outdoor-rink-fan-vote.