9.1.A. PRSR 02-09-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Item # 9. I .A. ver MEMORANDUM TO: Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director DATE: February 3, 2005 SUBJECT: River Park School Site The Elk River School District has submitted preliminary plans for the elementary school in the River Park Subdivision. The plan contains two soccer fields and two baseball/softball fields. The plan does not show it but school district staff indicated that a small play structure would be included. If this property had been developed as homes, the park dedication for this 20.5-acre site would have been approximately $150,000. In light of this substantial decrease in dedication fees, staff believes that it is appropriate that the school district enhance the recreational opportunities at the site. Staff is proposing that the school district build an addition to the gymnasium for the Parks and Recreation Department to operate as a warming house and summer programs building. This building would have controlled access to the gymnasium during non-school hours, to be determined by city and district staff. The Parks and Recreation Department would construct and maintain a hockey rink and open skate area with lights. At Handke School, the Parks and Recreation Department maintains the rinks, staffs the warming house and installed new lights this year. The partnership at Handke has been a very positive one, both in terms of city/school district relations, and recreation opportunities provided. The city does not currently have a rink or warming house on the east side of Elk River. Creating a controlled access into the gymnasium would provide the opportunity for the facility to function as a recreation center with minimal expense to the public. This joint use model works well in other cities and is an efficient way to stretch public resources. Attachments • Preliminary Site Plan • Examples of wamung house/recreation centers