10. PRSR 03-05-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

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grant application they submitted. The minimum space they propose is 30,000 square feet with an estimated cost of$4 to $5 M. Commissioner Arne Engstrom reported that the county might have needs that a community • center could address. For example, the WIC program could possibly use satellite space. Carol Mills, Guardian Angels director, announced that the new addition to the Senior Center is complete. It is between 5,000-6000 additional square feet. The final cost was $820,000 with HUD providing $100,000 of the funds. She invited everyone to the grand opening on February 22. A discussion ensued about the fact that there is a growing senior population with a vast variety of needs for community space. Barb Kreuser reported that the more physically active seniors could use larger space for their tap and line dances and for walking. She also cautioned that we need to create community space that is accessible to all income levels and without fees. Dan Larson, new college graduate, reported that in Florida there are multiple theatres which are heavily frequented by seniors. It is his experience that seniors want to attend quality theatre productions. New committee name: Don Heinzman suggested that we rename our committee the Center for Community committee. Next Step: It was agreed to begin gathering research that has been done in the last ten years regarding community gathering space: • 1990 Community Task Force Report • Elk River Chamber research of community centers • Elk River Citizen's League Report • 2001 Arts Alliance survey of community centers and arts centers • Central Business District Visioning • Operation ER's Great Conversation (town meeting visioning session) • and any other yet to be identified David Flannery volunteered to bring the school district's demographic information based on the • current census report to the next meeting. Jim Stanley, Chamber of Commerce, volunteered to poll Chamber members about community gathering space. Jim suggested that we need to establish which components of our community agree on a common mission. It was agreed that we will continue to identify possible stake holders to include in our discussion. We need to hear from young families and residents that are new to the Elk River area. Stake holders are invited to bring to the next meeting a brief list of needs to begin the process of creating a center vision. Arne Engstrom noted that a community center has come in many forms over the years. Most had space that was multipurpose. Funding. Operation ER has access to grant funding for planning through the Initiative Foundation. Also, David Flannery suggested that the Three Rivers Community Foundation is another source for funding. The next meeting of the Center for Community Committee will be held Thursday, March 1, 2001 at 4 p.m. at the Elk River City Hall. The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. •