9.1sr Superitendent's Report 4-22-2024

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Plymouth, which undertook a $49 million renovation and expansion of its community center including a walking track, indoor playground, dance and fitness studios and art gallery funded it with money from the state, city-issued tax abatement bonds, a sales tax exemption and a previous levy. It opened in 2022. The city had over a half-million visitors last year and sold about 55,000 indoor playground daily passes. "Our attendance just keeps going up and up," said Kari Hemp, the city's recreation manager. But the costs are ongoing. Plymouth subsidized the facility by about $740,000 in 2023, Hemp said, adding that it's a service and officials know they won't break even. "Very few \[community centers\] make money; often they're subsidized by taxpayers in some way," said Nancy Blankfard, an HGA architect who designed the Plymouth renovation. "In smaller communities ... it's really hard to imagine how they can pay for a large community center." Andrew Pimental, Eagan's parks and recreation director, said some return on investment is important. The city is planning a community center renovation for approximately $10 million and recently conducted a study to determine whether there were additional ways it could bring in money. "It's a balance of really trying to find that middle ground where you're recovering your costs but also making sure you're offering good, quality programs," Pimental said. About 20% of the Eagan center's annual operating cost is covered with revenue from several city- owned antennas. Some cities see little alternative to keeping up their community centers. Fall behind, and they might lose out when people are deciding where to live. Apple Valley is spending $10 million to build an indoor playground and fitness space in between its current community center and senior center, part of a $73 million parks referendum passed last year. "We wanted to make sure the amenities that Apple Valley is able to provide to the public are in line with some of our surrounding communities," said Eric Carlson, the city's parks and recreation director.