Minutes - Council - 02/08/1996 - Joint with Park & Recreation Commission

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Vice-Chair Cook, Commissioners Asfahl, Skinner, Johns, LaMere and Ostmm. Voting No: None. NOTE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES The Park and Recreation Commission noted the following minutes: 1) Planning Commission public hearing minutes dated January 2, 1996. COMMISSION BUSINESS Case #1: Meeting with Minnesota Sports Federation Parks/Utilities Supervisor Boos introduced the representatives from the Minnesota Sports Federation. Perry Coonce, Executive Director of Minnesota Sports Federation, stated the Minnesota Sports Federation has been in force since 1982, and has successfully planned and executed amateur sporting events for over 200,000 youth and adults in Minnesota. The Federation's mission is to provide wholesome amateur/recreational sports opportunities that promote fimess, personal growth, sportsmanship and the development of life time leisure skills. The Federation is a non- profit, non-discriminating organization serving Minnesota through amateur sports. Mr. Coonce explained that the 200,000 members state-wide include about 60% from the Metro Area and 40% outside the Metro Area. The Federation is also affiliated with the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame. He touched on the leagues and tournaments/competitions. He stated that one of the Federation's main goals, after 14 years, is to have its own facility and to have a home to the thousands of athletes around the state. The Federation emphasizes on participation and de-emphasizes on winning. A1 Munt, Marketing Director of Minnesota Sports Federation, stated they currently conduct 150 youth and adult tournaments - mostly outdoors, but there's a need for indoor facilities. The Federation is seeking participation to help complete this project - such as a donation of 10 acres of land. The indoor facility would house the Minnesota Hall of Fame, concession stands, rest rooms, offices, meeting rooms, players lounges, videos, billiards, pro shops, etc., plus there would be the need for adequate parking. This would be Phase I. Phase II would be outdoor fields adjacent to the complex. Phase III would be as needed - five to six softball fields with lighting and irrigation, an outdoor meeting area and a picnic area. This would be additional acreage above the original 10. Phase IV would be as necessary - maybe a bubble dome to be used for indoor soccer, touch football, clinics, etc. The cost of the facility construction would be about $1.5 million, with the fixtures being about $300,000 and $100,000 per field, which would equal about $5 to $6 hundred thousand dollars. The total cost would be about $2,300,000. The minimum land needed would be 10 acres and that's without softball fields - with five fields, the minimum needed would be 35 to 40 acres. Mr. Munt commented on the need for a cooperative city to build in plus the need for local participation. He talked about the business this facility would bring in for hotels and restaurants. The facility would be used by the Federation about 40 weekends per year in addition to it being used for camps and clinics. He referenced a handout entitled Economic Impact of One MSF Youth Volleyball Tournament to a Host City which outlines figures showing that one weekend would generate over $100,000 into the City. Pat Pelstring, Public Resource Group, stated that this proposal is being discussed with only four cities. He stated they work with private non-profit organizations. The disadvantage is they do not have a private business with a lot of investors. The advantage is this is an organization that speaks well of its intent and purpose (amateur sports). The major advantage of this organization is they have a good history, strong membership base, and an operating budget of approximately $2 City Council/Park & Recreation Commission/February 8, 1996 Page 2 of 15