North Mankato Seeking Public Input on Indoor Recreation Facility Project
The City of North Mankato is reviewing its pursuit to develop an indoor recreation facility. Requests for state bond funding have been repeatedly denied, partly due to competing municipal needs across Minnesota, but also some legislators have expressed concerns about the lack of clarity regarding whether the community supports the proposed facility.
Discussions about an indoor community center date back to the early 2010s, with the City allocating funds in the 2012 Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) to explore the feasibility of such a project. The topic resurfaced in 2016 during public engagement sessions called North Kato Ideas, where residents expressed interest in facilities like an ice arena and an aquatic center. Following these discussions, the City pursued and secured voter approval for a 2016 sales tax extension to fund the acquisition and development of recreational facilities, among other things.
City staff is reviewing the planning process for the proposed facility to identify gaps in public engagement. They believe that the “community center” elements originally envisioned have been lost in the design of a regional sports complex, which may not align with residents’ preferences for an indoor recreation center. Staff also question whether the original sales tax question approved by voters for recreation facilities included support for a regional sports complex.
At the December 18, 2024, City Council Work Session, the Council directed staff to seek citizen input to better understand the community’s recreational needs and priorities for an indoor facility. This is the first survey aimed to identify desired uses for an indoor recreation facility. Once desired uses are defined, the City will develop scenarios for the facility that incorporate them. Residents will have a chance in round two to vote on which scenario best fits the community, which might occur in early- to mid-February.
You can find the survey to provide input on the project here.
