Funds for Maple Grove Community Center Included in Bonding Bill
As Minnesota’s legislative session wrapped up, lawmakers passed a flurry of bills headed for the governor’s desk.
One is a bonding bill, which is used to fund state infrastructure projects. This year’s bonding bill includes about $700 million in investment.
A request from the city of Maple Grove made the cut for this year’s bill, which will help pay for the Maple Grove Community Center renovation and expansion project.
“It was in, and then it was out, then it was in,” said Chuck Stifter, Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Director. “And the special session yesterday really buttoned up the bill that is in front of the governor now. We do feel comfortable, hopeful at least, that governor will sign it.”
Maple Grove has acquired the Life Time Fitness facility connected to the Maple Grove Community Center. The city plans to move much of its active programming to that side of the property.
The city was awarded $6 million in the 2023’s bonding bill to develop designs for the expansion project.
Those designs, however, are nearing completion and the city expects to have about $1.5 million of the original $6 million allocation left over.
The language in the 2023 bonding bill wouldn’t allow the city to use those remaining funds. This year’s bonding bill modified that language, allowing the funds to be used for future construction. Those costs could be upwards of $60 million.
“A million dollars is a lot of money. In a project like this, it’s a small percentage, but all that stuff matters,” Stifter said.
Phase One of the Maple Grove Community Center’s reconstruction project is underway.
The Maple Grove Community Center rebuild is a multi-phase project. The first phase is already underway and will add a new sheet of ice to the ice arena.
The current phase of construction should wrap up by mid-October.
