Birds singing, puddles of muddy, melted snow and temperatures in the 40s; the signs of spring are everywhere at Winona State University this week, but there are a few signs yet to watch for.
During the spring and summer months at Winona State, water shoots up from fountains in front of the Performing Arts Center. When the wind blows, the fountains spray a mist on those entering and exiting the building.
From the fountain between Gildemeister Hall and Kryzsko Commons, students can enjoy the sound of water trickling downward as they sit on stone benches amidst beds of vibrant flowers.
When will these fountains be turned back on?
According to building maintenance supervisor Tony Bronk, two things need to happen before the fountains get started up for the season.
The trash around them needs to get cleaned up as the recently melted snow has uncovered a lot of it.
“There’s trash growing out of the snow bank,” Bronk said.
The recently melted snow has also uncovered a lot of cigarette butts that need to be cleaned up. Bronk describes this job as, “a real pain.”
Before the fountains get turned on, there needs to be no possibility of freezing over.
That being said, you can expect to see this sign of spring sometime in April.
When there is no possibility of frost, you will also see the goldfish on campus return to their spring and summer home—the pond outside of the Performing Arts Center.
Where are the fish right now?
Bronk says the fish are in a tank in the basement of Pasteur Hall.
You’ll know the fish are back when you see children from the Winona State University children’s center standing around the pond dropping fish food.
It’s the kids’ job to see that the goldfish do not go hungry.
The grass underneath the snow takes a beating during winter months. In many places, there is now a dirt path where grass once grew.
When the snow has melted, Bronk and his team will seed the dirt paths.
He wants campus to look especially nice for graduation, so, by commencement on May 2, expect to see a campus of lush spring green grass.
If you’re sticking around Winona this summer to take classes or work, you’ll be able to enjoy one of the latest signs of spring: Flowers.
Right now, the landscape of Winona State is just snow and mud, but by May 15, bright flowers will be visible at every turn.
Getting flowers ready for spring and summer is a process that maintenance works on all year.
The process begins in January when snips are taken from the previous year’s geraniums. This month, the marigolds are being planted.
Bronk says Winona State starts all the flowers from seed. They don’t order any flowers from an outside retailer in order to cut costs.
Right now, the flowers are just shoots of green lined up in the greenhouse by Maxwell Field. By May, the green shoots will transform into a kaleidoscope of colorful blooms scattered all over Winona State’s campus.
“We try to plant everything from A to Z,” Bronk said, “From Ageratum to Zenia.”

Questions or comments?
Contact Lydia at
LCOglesb3075@winona.edu