8.1. SR 07-18-2016 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Youth sports currently do not have access to ice to support the needs at the current population. Some of the larger sports are purchasing ice outside of Elk River instead of keeping the money in the city. Hockey is a deep rooted tradition of Elk River. If you took a poll of hockey families, many are not originally from Elk River. Many would probably say part of the reason they moved here was because of ER's hockey program. Many of our surrounding towns have now built better facilities to accommodate their programs, Rogers, Coon Rapids, Andover not to mention what Blaine has. If you, as a city, want to continue to be attractive to this demographic and be attractive to new families to move here, a substantial improvement in facilities will need to be made. More ice sheets so we do not need to travel to Princeton and Anoka. Also make a sheet have turf in the spring for indoor lacrosse. All of this would help with the strong growth of these youth programs. Need more sheets of ice. An indoor dome facility for spring sports like baseball, softball, lacrosse. Now if citizens of ER want that they have to drive 45 minutes One large facility would be a nice thing for the community to use and promote our community pride and health. We need more fields to support outdoor activities. I also feel we could use a dome/community center to support the needs of all kids in Elk River. We should not just one support sport, but we should support all sports. Lacrosse, hockey, baseball, soccer, etc. I think it is the opportunity to attract people to Elk River. Not only would we support our youth we would support our local businesses. Possibility for business growth. Programs limited by facilities (lacrosse, hockey, soccer). Programs fractured by factions operating with separate, similar interests. Enough facility spaces to keep Elk River teams to have to travel for practices. Space for year round soccer. Pickleball If more ice is needed - fine - but why take away the building from the senior citizens - the added ice vote should be included in a bond issue!! Provide more opportunities for families to use facilities. Things our family would like to see: gym, meeting space, activity space, etc. Similar to what both Monticello and Maple Grove have. The Y does not fulfill this need - it's too expensive and does not offer any communal feel. Other types of things to offer that might give a sense of community; of keeping people here in Elk River rather than going elsewhere are a fun center, a "maker" space, indoor walking track (that's not in a cold arena), bathrooms and a concession stand at Orono Park. We love Elk River and would love to see more opportunities to stay in town rather than go elsewhere to have these needs met. As a 19 year old ER resident with kids 5 and 7, I find our parks system to be great w/trails, etc. When it comes to Rec facilities for kids and adults, there are very little impressive things to say. Outdated and non-current facilities do not make our community appealing for current residents or new ones moving in. We need a community center for ALL to enjoy. Hockey, soccer, baseball, senior activities, etc. There needs to be a place like other cities have... Maple Grove, Andover, Monticello to name a few. I am a YMCA member and that facility lacks things as well. Really hopeful something happens FAST. We need to build something like Andover Community Center that offers basketball courts, hockey arena. Our community continues to grow. We need to have space to offer our growing community so APPENDIX D