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one and a half years ago. He disseminated a list of community center possible <br />components. The community center in Becker was mentioned. <br /> <br />Andover Councilmember Knight inquired if there is any interest in communities sharing <br />a center. Ramsey Mayor Gamec stated that Ramsey has a need of space for meetings. <br />Ramsey Councilmember Haas Steffen stated that one of the big problems for Ramsey's <br />residents (children) is transportation. Ramsey Mayor Gamec suggested a community <br />center could be centrally located in Ramsey and that it is something that the Youth First <br />organization has been talking about. <br /> <br />Andover City Manager Fursman stated that Mayor Gamec had looked into the cost of a <br />center and an estimate is $15 million. That kind of a burden on one city is cumbersome - <br />but for three cities it sounds like it could be done. Patronage will not fully cover <br />operating so that, too, is a burden for one community but divided three ways, it is not <br />such a burden. He pointed out that there has been talk of maybe the school district being <br />able to utilize space in a community center and he wondered what they may have to <br />"bring to the table". He noted that what each community would be giving up is a source <br />of identity just like with the pool in Anoka. <br /> <br />Anoka Mayor Beberg suggested forgetting about building new facilities but instead to re- <br />do existing buildings. School Board Member John Peterson stated that it would make <br />sense to try to find a way to utilize the school buildings more effectively. Dr. Giroux <br />noted that due to the distribution of population, and nature of kids, that transportation is <br />an issue. School Board Member Sullivan inquired if anyone had documented the <br />expectations of needs for communities versus school needs so that efforts could be <br />focused. Anoka City Manager Nagel stated that one of the charges given to the Youth <br />First Organization was to find areas of commonality. School Board Member Manning <br />stated there is a vehicle in place already to address the need of children activities and that <br />vehicle is community education. Ramsey Mayor Gamec agreed that the community <br />education program may be able to help out with youth activities, however, felt that the <br />group should look at what is offered by the youth athletic associations so that efforts are <br />not duplicated. Andover Councilmember Knight remarked that community center focus <br />usually begins with children in mind, however, ends up being directed toward adult <br />activities. Ramsey Councilmember Haas Steffen stated that the group was talking about <br />prevention, but the real problem is how children will get to where they are going and <br />believed that a legislative focus would be required. <br /> <br />Dr. Giroux suggested that a smaller group be made up of this large group whereby an <br />inventory could be developed and issues such as transportation and building rental could <br />be part of the proposal. <br /> <br />School Board Member Sullivan remarked that it seems money can be found to build golf <br />courses, but enough money cannot be found to get kids to a facility/community center. <br /> <br />Joint Meeting/May 1-9, 1998 <br /> Page 3 of 4 <br /> <br /> <br />