South news briefs: Savage hopes arena will be used by all

City hopes arena will be used by allOfficials in Savage are taking steps to make sure the controversial new sports dome to be built this year is widely used, and not just by youth sports groups.

City Administrator Barry Stock told council members in a recent memo that an informal work session recently of the city's Parks, Recreation and Natural Resource Commission included "general support" to open the facility for free public use in non prime-time hours.

The idea is to open it weekdays from 7-9 a.m. for walkers and joggers, he said, and to "make a conscious effort to make sure that residents know that this facility is for more than those in organized sports programs."

Other uses could include golf lessons, bocce ball, badminton, bean bag toss, after-school teen programs such as flag football, or programs for stay-at-home parents watching their kids during the day.

Local historians focus on Civil WarLife in Dakota County during the Civil War is the topic of an event planned for Thursday afternoon at Inver Hills Community College. Scott County also is hosting an exhibit this month with a similar theme, as the nation observes the 150th anniversary of the war.

The events are among several planned in the area during the coming months.

In Dakota County, "The Civil War Trunk" will feature artifacts from ancestors of local residents illustrating the lives of soldiers and civilians during that time. Jessica Bierbrauer of the Dakota County Historical Society has been collecting the material for years.

In Scott County, on May 17, the county historical society will open its "Scott County in the Civil War" exhibit with a program highlighting stories of Minnesota women. Historian Vicki Wendel will discuss how women "protected their homes, supported their soldiers, served the Army in many different ways, and kept the home fires burning throughout the four years of the war," the society said.

The program is free. For details, call 952-445-0378 or e-mail adrtina@scottcountyhistory.org.

Longtime parks director retiringSteve Michaud, the man who built most of Lakeville's 1,400-acre park and trails system, will retire in July after 38 years with the city.

Michaud took a summer job to run one of the city's three parks in April 1974. By fall the City Council hired him to become the Lakeville's first parks and recreation director.

Michaud planned city parks and trails and pushed for the park dedication ordinance that has funded most park improvements. He kept costs down by applying for grants, including a $900,000 grant for the $1 million Kenrick Trail segment that soon will complete the Lake Marion Trail loop.

"I think we all know that we will never replace Steve and all that he has done for this community," said his boss, City Administrator Steve Mielke.

City will help out another new businessShakopee's City Council has agreed to subsidize another new development bringing jobs to the city.

The council last week approved what's being called a "business subsidy and tax abatement" for a manufacturing and corporate headquarters for a firm called Trystar.

A developer, Bridgewater LLC, is to build a 130,000-square-foot facility combining manufacturing, warehouse and offices on 28 acres in the Dean Lakes Business Park at Canterbury Road and Hwy. 169.

Trystar would be the tenant, and expects to bring at least 80 new jobs within two years, city officials said. Trystar makes and distributes power-related products such as cables.

Mayor Brad Tabke noted in a statement that the city's "aggressive focus on economic development has incentivized the creation of 230 jobs in Shakopee in the last two weeks alone."

The other project involves Sanmar Corp., supplier of wholesale apparel and accessories, which is to be the tenant in a new $35 million warehouse/distribution center off County Road 83 and 4th Avenue.