The1% Community Center Steering Committee met Oct. 27 and reviewed guiding principles that will be incorporated into a new community center/ pool complex. This community center/pool complex was one of seven future county projects to be built with the 1% sales tax approved by residents in November 2009.
Tom Wacholz, ORB Management’s owner and president, led a discussion about the identity of this complex and what it should reflect about Cook County. Who are all the stakeholders? How can this building become accessible to multi-generational programs and events? What might the relationship of this building be to the current community center and school? These are just a few of the many questions to be answered.
Everyone in attendance believed the building should mirror the natural environment with our unique features of water, native rock and local wood. It needs to be warm, inviting and a comfortable place for meetings and recreational activities.
“The building could be a bridge between Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountain ridge,” suggested Maggie Barnard, events director for the Cook County Events Bureau. “It can bring continuity to the harbor location with the Gunflint Trail and Pincushion Mountain locations, something that could be coordinated with future streetscape and walking path plans. We have the hotels, motels and restaurants but need a place large enough for 200-plus people to meet for events.”
While support for youth and young families continued to be important to everyone on the committee, accommodations for an active aging population also need to be considered. More than onehalf of Cook County’s population will be 55 years and older within 15 years.
“Visitors and part-time residents will be paying a large part of the 1% tax that will be used to design and construct this building,” Bill Lenz, Grand Marais city council member, reminded the group. “We must make sure we support their needs as well.”
Wrapping up the discussion, all present agreed that whatever structure is built, sustainability, durability and affordable maintenance costs were of utmost importance.
The committee met again at press time, on Wednesday, Nov. 10 at 8 a.m. at the Cook County Community Center. Information will be regularly posted on the community center web page cccommunitycenter. com under “New Construction Plans.” A project website will also soon be developed with access for all interested parties to stay informed. For more information, call 218-387-3015.
Leave a Reply