Support the Timberjay by making a donation.

Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Ely Regional Community Complex vision comes into sharper focus

Keith Vandervort
Posted 4/26/17

ELY – Plans for a proposed community recreation complex here came into focus Monday night at a school board study session.

Jeff Sundell and many members of the Ely Regional Community Complex …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Ely Regional Community Complex vision comes into sharper focus

Posted

ELY – Plans for a proposed community recreation complex here came into focus Monday night at a school board study session.

Jeff Sundell and many members of the Ely Regional Community Complex steering committee presented ISD 696 leadership and curious residents with the first public look at site plan renderings that could be located on the west side of the school campus.

“The purpose of a site rendering is to show the size of the building and how it relates to other (school) buildings and the available space,” Sundell said.

He offered three sets of drawings of rec center building locations, prepared by architects at Adolfson & Peterson Construction, for the five-acre area. He estimated that the proposed recreation complex, with pool, gymnasium, locker rooms, community and multi-purpose rooms, could be as large as 50,000 square feet, with an estimated footprint of between 35,000 and 40,000 square feet.

Also included in the renderings were the locations of the proposed playground (19,000 square feet), green space play area on the north side of the space (31,000 square feet), student drop-off and pick-up area options, and parking areas (120-140 stalls).

“A rendering means it is a place to start, a place to begin a conversation,” Sundell said. “We have no authority to make any decisions, nor do we want it. We want these pictures to help in our conversation.”

All three options have the existing green space remaining in place on the northwest corner of the campus, and the proposed playground on the eastern edge of the green space in close proximity to the main entrance of the Washington school building. The existing playground on the southern edge of the campus would be replaced with a parking area.

The first rendering option shows the rec complex buildings bumping up to the Washington school building. “This shows the rec center to be the furthest north of the three options. Student drop-off and pick-up, along with parking areas, would be in front of the ice arena,” he said.

He noted that the Ely Blue Line Club is considering changing the main entrance to the ice arena from the north end to the south end of the building. “All three of our renderings would accommodate that change if it ever comes to fruition,” Sundell said.

The first option could also ultimately block natural sunlight from the west side of the Washington building. “We would definitely have to take that into consideration,” Sundell said. “This option could also potentially eliminate the sledding hill for the kids when they come out that west door.”

The second option places the proposed rec center facility in front of the ice arena with the student drop-off and pick-up area, and some parking, just south of the green space play area. “The rec center would be built next to the ice arena and not attached to it,” he said. “This rendering also clears up the (Washington building) window problem, and gives direct student drop-off access to the playground.”

The third option, according to Sundell, takes the best things from the first two options.

The traffic pattern in the parking area allows for the safest student drop-off and pick-up scenario, as well as a drop-off area for the ice arena with a new southern entrance.

The traffic safety considerations of the drop-off, pick-up areas, including just a circle drive with no parking area, was met with overwhelming approval by those in attendance at the study session.

All of the options have the pool area facing south in order to take advantage of solar heating and natural light considerations. “The word ‘pool’ hasn’t been completely defined,” he said. “In our survey, a pool was one of the top things the community wanted. But a pool could mean a lap pool. It could include a slide. It could also include zero-depth entry for physical therapy and for kids. All that could mean a big difference in cost.”

A brief discussion was held about the number of parking spaces available and the potential need for parking. “I know that when there is a play at Washington (auditorium) there is never enough parking,” Sundell said. He noted that a new parking area on the south end of campus could also be utilized by football game attendees. There seemed to be a consensus that there would be a net gain in parking spaces on campus.

Next steps

“We now have something to look at,” said Board Chair Ray Marsnik. ’That is so important as we move forward.”

Sundell, having shown the board that there is indeed enough space on the west side of campus to include all of the necessary components of playground, parking and rec facility, said, “My board is prepared to go forward with architectural renderings of a building, but we can’t go anywhere until we know that we have the school board on board with this.”

The ERCC board has two other potential locations in mind: the former City Garage site near Central Avenue and Morse Township property behind the hospital. “At some point, my board is going to need to hear that the school board is in favor of this and wants to continue, or they don’t.”

Marsnik said he understands the ERCC board’s position. “This is going to be a very big decision for us,” he said. “For one thing, what role is the (school) board going to have in all of this? What role are we going to have financially? What role are we going to have as far as construction, and the upkeep and maintenance of this? Those questions are so important.” He also questioned how such a facility would help the students in the district.

Sundell offered the suggestion that the school board could indicate that they are still favorable to the idea and “would like to proceed” to discover the answer to those questions.

“I would never think to ask for a decision at this point,” Sundell said. “There is hardly anything to decide on. However, if the (school) board is favorable to the idea, that would be helpful to my board so they knew that all the work that went into this is still making progress. This doesn’t have to be a marriage, but maybe a third date.”

Superintendent Kevin Abrahamson offered to gather questions from the school board to forward to Sundell, who will attempt to provide answers as project discussion continues at the May 8 school board meting.