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<br /> STAFF REPORT <br />DATE: 9/9/2025 <br /> Workshop <br /> <br />TO: Lake Elmo City Council <br />FROM: Jason Stopa, Community Development Director <br />AGENDA ITEM: Sports Complex 76 Acres <br />REVIEWED BY: Nicole Miller, City Administrator <br /> <br /> <br />CORE STRATEGIES: <br /> <br />☒ Vibrant, inclusive, connected community ☒ Efficient, reliable, innovative services <br />☐ Responsive, transparent, adaptive governance ☐ Balanced Finances now and future <br />☐ Managed Growth ☐ Resilient Infrastructure <br /> <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: <br />The City purchased 76 acres south of Sunfish Lake Park for a sports complex. The Parks System Plan <br />mentions that the city does not have enough competitive recreational fields for the growing population. <br />Since the adoption of the plan, Community Development has talked to neighboring cities about their <br />challenges and opportunities developing sports complexes and talked to local sports associations about <br />their needs and capacity. A timeline was shared with the Council, that will be amended as decisions are <br />made. The next steps should include the level of community planning and engagement and a financial <br />analysis for implementation and long-term maintenance. <br /> <br />ISSUE BEFORE COUNCIL: <br />Does the Council support community planning and engagement with a thorough financial analysis based <br />on improvements starting in 2025? <br />Does the Council want to wait to start in 2026? <br />Discuss the timeline. Should staff try to meet the August 4th, 2026, referendum deadline? <br /> <br />PROPOSAL DETAILS/ANALYSIS: <br />Surrounding Cities <br />Staff talked to Michael Grochala (Lino Lakes), Reed Smidt (Woodbury), and Chuck Stifter (Maple Grove) <br />to better understand challenges and learn from their experiences. We discussed costs and resident <br />expectations. Most of the cities had residents that wanted improved ballfields and amenities. While Lino <br />Lake’s has had challenges with implementation, both Woodbury and Maple Grove have built multi-million- <br />dollar sports complexes that have been supported by their residents. <br /> <br />Woodbury has two major complexes, Fairview and Ojibway Park, that include softball, baseball, soccer, <br />lacrosse, and cricket. Over the decades, the voters have approved referendums (1974,1994, 1998, 2005). <br />Tennis is located at the high school. Pickleball is popular. Additional improvements include a skate park, <br />handball, outdoor fitness, and archery. <br />