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M©r°ApARK CUP NARRATIVE - 21591 US HWY 169 NW Background ERX was launched in the winter of 2008 and is recognized today as one of the fastest-growing motorsports facilities in the Midwest. With a focus on family-friendly events and grassroots motorsports activities, ERX has been quickly embraced by motorsports enthusiasts of all kinds. ERX was created by Todd Plaisted and Chris Carlson, two Elk River businessmen who are long- time powersports enthusiasts. Plaisted and Carlson both enjoy participating in powersports activities with their families, and they saw an opportunity to create a facility which would address this opportunity and provide value for the Elk River Community. The original intent was to provide a facility for snocross racing and training, but today ERX is a year-round complex hosting both snowmobile events in the winter and car,truck, ATV and go-cart racing in the summer months. ERX also hosts events for local and regional organizations and non-profits such as the Day of the Dozers event raising money for Children's Hospital and a fund raising event for Three Rivers Community Foundation. Future uses may include concerts, product demonstrations, endurance events such as Tough Mudder Events or Running with the Bulls., In June of 2008, ERX received an IUP to operate, and in July of 2015,the city approved a new zoning district,XCR, extreme commercial recreational, to accommodate our long term vision. On April 5th, Sportech staff met with Planning and Zoning staff to discuss ERX; during this meeting, staff asked us to submit a CUP for this site to continue operations at our current location, 21591 US Hwy 169 (PID: 75-110-2405). Detailed Description From the very beginning, Plaisted and Carlson have implemented a few fundamental principles which have been consistently used to guide the organization through the years. • ERX will be family and community focused. It will be a facility which will provide safe, family friendly activities, with the ultimate goal of creating value with the local communities and within the powersports industry. • ERX will utilize an operating philosophy grounded in integrity, and benevolence and charitable activities will be a key part of the operation. Free admission will be offered to charities, ministries, schools and non-profits. ERX is proud to have partnered with a number of outstanding non-profit organizations through the years, including but not limited to Big Brothers and Big Sisters, MN Adult and Teen Challenge, Boys and Girls Club of MN and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).