Local sports enthusiasts should be happy with two recent developments.

One: Land preparation is underway for new city-owned outdoor fields and an indoor sports complex being built by the Forest Lake Area Athletic Association.

Two: FLAAA recently unveiled the preliminary design for its facility, which will include an ice arena and field house.

Both will be located on the Forest Lake Community Center site south of the Forest Lake Airport and adjacent to the new county government center facility and county library slated to open this fall.

The sports complex facade features gold stone and maroon panels to represent the colors of both FLAAA teams and the high school Rangers, which will also use the facility.

“We wanted a building that everyone can be proud of, especially the kids,” said Larry Porter, a FLAAA board member leading the sports complex steering committee.

“The kids of this area have made due with less-than-desirable sports facilities for a long time. We owe them something that’s more on par with what other communities our size provide,” he said.

The sports complex will include a year-round ice sheet, a field house with refrigerated ice five months and artificial turf the other seven, locker rooms, a snack bar, a meeting room, FLAAA offices, and possibly a retail shop and training program.

“We’re in discussions with a few local businesses interested in providing services in the sports complex,” Porter said. “We’re looking at skate sharpening, companies that provide training to athletes, and a retail shop with basic sports supplies.”

Fund-raising drive well underway

Funding for the outdoor fields is already in place, via city of Forest Lake funds and a $150,000 donation from FLAAA.

The majority of funding for the sports complex will be covered by industrial revenue bonds backed by local banks, but FLAAA needs to raise $1.2 million to make the facility a reality.

“In our first official month of fundraising, we have commitments for $160,000,” Porter said.

That includes $25,000 from FLAAA, $50,000 from the hockey club and $30,000 from the soccer club.

How to help

FLAAA has numerous ongoing fund-raisers that offer local residents an opportunity to “own a piece of it,” as the group’s campaign logo suggests:

A Wall of Honor with three levels of commitment: $10,000, $5000 and $1000. Donors will have the name of their choice on permanent display in the sports complex lobby.

To make a donation, complete the accompanying form and mail it to: The Forest Lake Sports Complex, c/o FLAAA, P.O. Box 21, Forest Lake, MN 55025.

A Puck Wall. For $50, donors get the name of their choice on a puck that will be on permanent display in the sports complex lobby.

To make a donation, complete the accompanying form and mail it to: The Forest Lake Sports Complex, c/o FLAAA, P.O. Box 21, Forest Lake, MN 55025.

Top of Page