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Rosemount athletic complex hops forward
The land for the proposed fields, playground and other amenities was donated last year by Flint Hills Resources.
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Rosemount residents could vote this spring on an $8 million bond issue for an outdoor athletic complex that officials hope will help the city keep pace with its booming population.
The City Council will decide next month whether to ask voters to give thumbs up or down on funding for the proposed complex, envisioned as 10 athletic fields on 57 acres that could host a wide variety of sports and tournaments. A referendum could be held in April.
If voters approve the project, grading on the site could begin this summer and Rosemount's young athletes could be playing there by 2010, said Dan Schultz, city parks and recreation director.
"There has been tremendous growth in youth sports, and the facilities that are currently existing haven't kept up with growth," Schultz said. "Then there's a new sport, lacrosse, that's becoming more and more popular. ... We won't have a problem filling the field up."
Other sports that might be played at the complex include soccer, football, softball and baseball. A concessions building and some lighted fields would be built as part of the first construction phase, with a playground and other amenities probably coming later.
The project cleared its biggest hurdle last year, when Flint Hills Resources donated rolling land northeast of downtown Rosemount for the complex. The parcel, valued at $1 million, was part of the buffer that Flint Hills had developed around its large oil refinery (formerly the Koch plant) to forestall conflict with residential areas.
After looking at potential sites costing $4 million and up, city officials gratefully accepted Flint Hills' gift.
"It has led the city to be able to do this. It brought down the cost and helped us add more amenities," Schultz said.
Rosemount's population in 2006 was estimated at 20,500, representing a 40 percent increase in six years. Youth athletic programs currently use school and city facilities but occasionally are forced to move to other communities. Sometimes teams must be downsized, or playing seasons shortened, because of limited facilities, Schultz said.
Two other projects also may be funded by the bond referendum, he said. About $1 million could be used to make necessary code and accessibility improvements at the former St. Joseph's Catholic Church, a Rosemount landmark that a city task force wants to turn into an arts and cultural center. And $600,000 is needed to build eight tennis courts at Erickson Park, he said.
Kevin Duchschere • 952-882-9017
