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Parks and Recreation Commission Special Work Session Minutes Page 2 <br />August 14, 2024 <br /> <br /> <br />fields and facilities. He also expressed that Mr. Ellingworth had shared with HKGi that he would like <br />them to avoid removing any fields during phase one to minimize impact on programming. <br /> <br />Mr. Paige continued to explain the process for the phases and reasoning. He also explained that they <br />brought it back to the commission after the changes were made. The results are a combination of the <br />site capacity study that acknowledges site limitations. The framework brings an idea that will <br />technically fit but also leaves room for things to move within the plan as each phase changes. <br />Landscape architects and planners at HKGi put the plan together with the main focus for layout <br />being athletic programming. Chair Anderson said the only way to get somewhere with the discussion <br />would be to walk through the plan going site by site since the commission will ultimately be asking to <br />approve the framework. <br /> <br />Mr. Paige agreed and said that the financial numbers are going to be very high, so they have to be <br />aware of that first. He said that the chances of it coming in under budget are not likely. <br /> <br />Commissioner Niziolek asked if there is evidence of it being economically beneficial to have these <br />complexes so far out from the center of the city. He thinks they should rethink this and consider <br />bringing this closer to the core. He said the gravel mining area should be considered. <br /> <br />Mr. Paige said that the economics of the tournaments is one side, but the other side is community <br />identity. Just as the city has embraced the natural resource side of parks, they can embrace the athletic <br />side as well. People can value both. <br /> <br />Mr. Stremcha said that they don’t know the soil conditions or the sizing of the gravel pits at this point <br />to make it a consideration. He also shared that facilities draw people and the Specht property being <br />developed will add more people to the area around the PT Complex. He said that developing the <br />mining area could be much further down the line. <br /> <br />Commissioner Goodwin asked if Commissioner Niziolek is asking for all the ball fields to go to the <br />gravel pits or just some? Commissioner Niziolek said he doesn’t have a plan, he is just saying that area <br />of town is going to grow, and he wants to bring that point up. Commissioner Niziolek said he thinks <br />that they should consider where the city is growing before, they make decisions on fields. <br /> <br />Commissioner Stewart asked about future potential connection points to the PT Complex. Mr. <br />Stremcha explained that there are potential ones through MNDOT with growing developments. <br />Chair Anderson said it looks like they are cramming a lot of stuff into a small place in the current <br />plan. He said he is worried about the huge price tag. <br /> <br />Mr. Ellingworth said that when this plan was shared with the associations back in February, they <br />loved the idea of being at one complex versus being spread around town. He added that they <br />expressed that they enjoy the quiet and country feel. <br /> <br />Mr. Stremcha said phase one would include the rectangular fields at the PT Complex. Mr. Ellingworth <br />shared his opinion that everything should be at the PT Complex as is and then as the city grows the <br />northern piece (gravel pits) could be added. <br /> <br />Commissioner Niziolek said that he recognizes that we need to do the project in phases but doesn’t <br />want to miss the opportunity of this northern piece of land. <br />Page 5 of 84