Posted: 7/24/02

Community center concept plan approved

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

The Family Community Center came a step closer to reality Monday night. The Forest Lake City Council approved a concept plan for the community center at its regular meeting July 22.

Alan Bakke, representing the Recreation Task Force, and planner Bill Sanders of Sanders, Wacker, Bergly, Inc. presented the concept plan for a new community center and recreation area.

The plan, which gained unanimous approval from the council, is on 160 acres of city-owned land on the Forest Lake Airport Complex south of TH-97 and 202nd St. N, west of US-61.

The plan calls for five ballfields, six soccer fields, a wooded area for nature preserve with picnic areas, and existing wetlands.

As laid out, the 80,000 square foot community center has four main portions, Bakke said. Those portions include an aquatic center, theater, gymnasium and a multipurpose area which would be suitable for wedding receptions and other community events.

An ice arena also is in the works on site. The arena is planned as a two sheet facility with room for expansion. Sanders suggested an ice arena would be built before the community center happens.

ìI want to emphasize, at this point, itís strictly a concept plan,î Bakke said. He added the plan had promise and would benefit community residents in a variety of ways.

However, funding will determine what can be done.

At this stage, the plan calls for one entrance and exit point, off of 202nd Street.

Councilman Terry Smith suggested the need for more entrances and exits.

ìTo have more than one exit might be worth considering,î Smith said.

Sanders said that will be considered and planning continues.

ìWhat we wanted to do is give you a concept hereósomeplace to start,î Sanders said.

Bakke said the sub-committees are forming for a variety of issues, such as finance.

ìWhat can we afford and when and how are we going to pay for it?î Bakke mused.

Another subcommittee will be developing partnerships.

Sanders added this facility is being designed for the whole family, not just athletes.

ìWe donít want it to be only athletics,î Sanders said speaking of dedicated space for theater, community events and picnic areas. ìWe truly want it to be a community center.î

The next meeting of the recreation task force is scheduled for Tuesday, August 6.

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