7.-15.1. PRSR 06-11-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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-DRAFT- 20 May 1997 Community Center/Youth Center Background: Much has been discussed and written about a community center or a youth center for the District 728 area over the past 5-7 years. The City of Elk River commissioned a committee to study the issue several years ago, the City is currently negotiating with the Minnesota Sports Federation regarding bonding for a facility which would have gyms and a running track, and more recently there has been talk of a Boy's and Girl's Club.The City of Rogers has undertaken a serious study of adding a swimming pool and auditorium to the future Junior High to be constructed in Rogers. While one or more of these concepts may one day be reality, the reality is that in the short term-the next 12-18 months to perhaps up to the next five years, there may be no"Community Center" constructed in District 728. Consider: The taxpayers have already invested money in permanent school facilities in District 728. It would take well over$200 million to replace the public school facilities we currently have in Elk River alone. Proposal: For the interim period until such time as a community center is constructed by any of the above scenarios, why not invest several thousand dollars a year(versus several million dollars), and provide a public space that is universally available for the general public's casual use--rather than for specifically organized special interest groups. Take a currently existing public school and fully maximize its use for the good of the general public. For example, select VandenBerge Jr. High (because it has both multiple gymnasiums and a swimming pool), and develop a • calendar for the school for the year. Such a center could be open on Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, with extended hours to midnight or beyond if desired. A food concession with pizza and/or other foods would probably be needed, as would an area to accommodate a large number of video games, darts, pool tables, etc. Special events could be scheduled and promoted, as well as regularly scheduled t Community Education and Community Recreation activities such as open gyms, open swimming, afterclass enrichment programs, etc. The elements needed at such a center, schedule for the year, hours of operation, marketing ideas and plan, would ideally be planned with input from youth and families that would be using the facility. Such a proposal should not be only a school district-run facility. It should have broad community financial and emotional support, and multiple agencies should have an investment in it's success. Among the possible players: District 728 Community Education, Community Recreation, the City of Elk River, churches and church youth groups, local service and fraternity organizations, the business community, youth in the community, families. Concerns about the schedule at the facility: 1. Continue to assure that all K-12 VandenBerge school functions take place and are scheduled as #1 priorities. 2. Determine a schedule for the proposed center. (vacate other general uses of specified spaces during these times) For example community uses that have historically been at the site may be scheduled for another building instead. Possible steps in the process: 1. Bounce the concept off several possible partners. ' 2. Secure School Board support for the concept. • 3. Determine the mission, goals and purpose of the facility.