The Community Center Steering Committee met on May 7, 2012 and discussed the potential layout for a community center attached to the west wing of Cook County High School. The preliminary design proposes remodeling and adding onto the existing building at an estimated cost of $8,350,000.
Outdoor and other amenities totaling $990,000 were also discussed, bringing the total project cost to $9,340,000, which is $340,000 over the amount authorized by the county board. Among other things such as ball fields and a lighted outdoor ice rink, the preliminary plan includes upgrades to two tennis courts and remodeling of the existing Community Center to include warming house amenities.
At the May 8 county board meeting, Commissioner Bruce Martinson said that the Community Center Steering Committee would be presenting these initial designs to the board for its input at the May 15 county board meeting.
County Attorney Tim Scannell said he thought the new plan addressed every concern expressed by people opposed to previous project proposals.
Commissioner Sue Hakes said the steering committee would be asking the county board to raise the project cost cap to $9,500,000.
Consultant Tom Wacholz of ORB Management later contacted the News-Herald and said, “…If the board authorizes moving forward with the project there will be additional public comment opportunities as the design process moves along.” He said a more updated plan and budget would be presented to the board on May 15.
Seeking city involvement
At the end of that meeting, the board met in closed session to discuss potential litigation between the City of Grand Marais and Burbach Aquatics regarding a contract the city signed with Burbach years ago for Burbach’s services should the city pursue rehabbing its municipal pool or building a new one. Upon the advice of its attorney, the city has refrained from any involvement with the county’s community center project because Burbach contends that the city is still bound to its contract with this project.
After that closed session, County Attorney Tim Scannell wrote in a letter to City Administrator Mike Roth:
“On Tuesday, May 8, 2012, the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed the following motions:
1. That Cook County needs the City of Grand Marais to participate in payment for costs of operation and maintenance of the planned new community center when the project goes forward.
2. That Cook County supports the City of Grand Marais’ Declaratory Judgment action against Burbach Aquatics and is willing to negotiate an offset of payments for costs of operation and maintenance of the community center to support the city’s lawsuit.”
This spring, the city council authorized City Attorney Chris Hood to seek a declaratory judgment from the court regarding the city’s contractual obligation to Burbach Aquatics.
According to USLegal.com, “A declaratory judgment is a judgment of a court which determines the rights of parties without ordering anything be done or awarding damages. … A petition for a declaratory judgment asks the court to define the legal relationship between the parties and their rights with respect to the matter before the court."
Initial plans for a community center on the west wing of Cook County High School propose:
. Renovation of the current
Community Ed gym
. A zero-depth pool with
three lap lanes, a hot tub
and a sauna
. A fitness area
. A walking track
around the gym
. Remodeling of existing space
into a multipurpose area
for meetings, classes, youth
activities, and dance
. Remodeling of existing space
for a child care area
. Concession booth
. Locker rooms/bathrooms
. Space for administration,
mechanical equipment,
storage, and hallways
. Furniture, fixtures and
equipment.
Proposed outdoor and additional amenities include:
. Lighting for an existing field
. Soccer field restoration
. New softball/baseball field
. A outdoor concrete ice rink
with lights
. Upgrades to two tennis courts
. Remodeling existing
Community Center to include
warming house amenities
. Landscaping including some
trail connections.
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