A plan to add an indoor sports facility and aquatics center to the Grand Forks landscape will likely come down to dollars and cents. The general consensus at a joint meeting between City Council and Park Board last night (Tuesday) is that both facilities would be great additions to the region.
Consultants laid out the vision for a 208,000 square foot sports facility near the Alerus Center and a 42,000 square foot aquatics center near Choice Health and Fitness. The two projects carry and estimated price-tag of $80 million and $29 million dollars respectively.
One potential funding source is extending the .75% sales tax currently dedicated for the Alerus Center which is set to sunset in 2029.
Mayor Brandon Bochenski says he believes taxpayers would prefer that route over higher property taxes. “I don’t think there is an appetite for a property tax increase.”
Even with the sales tax extension there’s a $30 million dollar funding gap. In addition it’s estimated both facilities would require an annual subsidy to operate. Council President Dana Sande says he’s excited about the potential – but concerned about the cost. “The operations leaves a half million dollar shortfall and that’s two full mills which is a significant property tax increase. So we have to come up with the funding to build it and also ongoing revenue to make it work.”
Consultants suggests the aquatics facility would need $224,148 to cover expenses and the sports facility $268,090 to operate.
Julie Rygg of the Greater Grand Forks CVB says there’s no doubt both projects have the potential to bring in some big dollars to the region.
The two groups plan to meet again in the near future to further discuss financing options.
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