Sauk Rapids Council To Hear Update On Field House Plan

SAUK RAPIDS - The Sauk Rapids City Council will get an update on a plan to build a community Field House.  Advocates for the facility are scheduled to give a presentation during the council meeting on Monday night.

If a field house were to be built, it appears the most likely location would be near the Sauk Rapids-Rice high school.

HMA Architects have created designs with several options. Option A would have the field house not connected to the school, four basketball courts, a running track, and a new parking lot. Option A1 would eliminate the running track. Option B would have it connected to the school, four basketball courts, and at-grade track. Option B1 moves the track above grade.

The city council originally authorized staff to look at a possible contribution of $5 million, using half-cent sales tax money. Estimates have the cost of the project between $7 million and $12 million.

Another big question will be who will pay for the annual operating costs, the city or the school?  One option would be to build it as a stand-alone facility and have the city own and operate it, which could cost the city an additional levy between $150,00 and $200,000 a year.  Or, the city could build it and lease it to the school district with the school paying for the annual operating costs.