Shakopee eyes $35M in amenities, improvements

A second indoor ice sheet. An improved fitness center. A senior center. An indoor/outdoor pool. Theater space. A fieldhouse. An advanced skate park. Meeting rooms for community groups. Maybe even a homeless shelter.

All at a projected cost of a little more than $35 million.

Shakopee Mayor Brad Tabke presented the ambitious plan to the City Council last week and said he hopes construction can begin on at least some of the facilities before the winter of 2015-2016.

On a vote of 3-1, the council approved spending up to $75,000 for a feasibility study and to identify non-referendum funding options for up to $25 million. The only dissenting vote came from Council Member Mike Luce, who disagreed with a short timetable for the study but said he agreed with the proposal overall.

The council chamber was packed with hockey parents and students and community members. Several hockey parents talked about their children practicing until 10 or 10:30 p.m., or getting up at 4 a.m., because that was the only ice time available.

Others commented that there aren't any seventh- or eighth-grade volleyball teams because there is nowhere for them to practice. Some said families have moved to neighboring districts where there are more and better facilities.

"I've been patient," one parent said. "But now it's time to act. We need this. I have kids in all different sports, football, tennis. I've never once gone to a facility and said we've got to wait, except for hockey. We're in dire need."

Tabke presented the plan, telling the council that the Shakopee Community Center, which provides some facilities, opened in 1996 with about $6 million in tax-increment money. Since then there have been some cosmetic changes, but overall, it's basically the same. Since 1996, three citywide referendums have failed.

A joint task force, with members from the council and the school board, was appointed last spring to identify improvements and amenities the city needs to attract and retain residents.

The task force recommendations include turning the Community Center into an athletics-focused center, with a second ice sheet, an improved fitness center, indoor turf, skate park and pool.

The Central Family Center, currently occupied by the school district, would become a community, arts and culturally focused building. It would have space for theater groups, meeting rooms, a senior center, a youth center and other amenities.

Tabke said the city would provide $25 million of the funding; the remainder would come from sports associations, community groups and fees. The task force recommended doing the work without a referendum, largely because the city doesn't want to compete with the school district, which has an upcoming referendum of its own.

The work could be done in phases, Tabke said, as money becomes available.

The task force hopes the feasibility study and funding options can be identified by February. If so, the council could make its final decision in March or April, Tabke said. That's where Luce disagreed. He suggested extending the study until at least June.

"I don't have the expertise to read through the feasibility study without that amount of time," he said.

Luce also wants to see the issue go before the voters. "It's the people's money," he said. "We need to give them a vote on how we spend their money."