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Executive Summary <br />Introduction <br />This Needs Assessment analyzes the adequacy of athletic <br />facilities and senior citizen recreation facilities within White <br />Bear Lake School District area to meet current and future <br />anticipated needs, identifies key facility needs and includes <br />recommendations for actions to address the priority needs. <br />The White Bear Lake Area School District all or portions of <br />the cities of White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, Hugo, North <br />Oaks, Gem Lake, Lino Lakes, Maplewood, Little Canada, and <br />Birchwood Village and White Bear Township, Minnesota. <br />Population within the area is forecast to grow modestly <br />between 2013 and 2030. New housing development is <br />anticipated within the north part of the District while the <br />south part of the District which includes a high proportion <br />of senior citizens is forecast to have stable to slightly <br />declining population over the next two decades. Student <br />enrollment within the District is forecast to remain near <br />current levels between 2013 and 2023. <br />There is a good level of communication and cooperation <br />among the school district, cities, township and athletic <br />associations with regards to athletic facility planning, <br />use, operations and improvement. Cooperation and <br />use of effective partnerships are increasingly important <br />to continued improvement of athletic facilities and in <br />addressing key facility needs. <br />Key Facility Needs <br />Overall athletic facilities within the District are meet most <br />athletic facility needs and senior recreation needs are <br />largely being met. However, based on research, evaluation <br />and stakeholder input there are a few key athletic facility <br />needs that are not being met. Addressing these needs is <br />important to the areas' long-term vitality, attractiveness, <br />health and quality of life. <br />1. More gymnasiums / 4+ gym complex for tournaments <br />- There is definite need for more gym access by athletic <br />associations and by District Sports teams. There is also a <br />desire for 4+ full-size gym courts at one location. District <br />624 is one of the few Districts within the Suburban East <br />Conference that does not have a multi -gym (3+ courts)/ <br />field house facility. <br />2. Multi -use turf fields - Use of turf fields is increasing <br />as emerging sports such as Lacrosse, Ultimate Frisbee, <br />Rugby, etc. increase in popularity and compete with soccer <br />and football for limited field space. There is a need for <br />more durable turf sports fields through use of artificial <br />turf and/or engineered sand based natural turf. There <br />is also a desire for a marquee multiple turf field area for <br />tournaments. The majority of school districts within the <br />Suburban East Conference have an artificial turf field or <br />fields. There are opportunities to repurpose/reconfigure <br />some low use fields to create space for full sized turf fields. <br />Repurpose facilities - Recreation needs change and <br />there is an opportunity to repurpose/reconfigure some low <br />use fields and courts to meet today's needs. Planning for <br />repurposing should be done with the involvement of all the <br />municipalities and the school district. <br />4. Senior Recreation - The senior population is expanding <br />and driving demand for more recreation services aimed at <br />older community members. Special care should be given to <br />meet this group's unique needs. <br />S. Coordinated strategy for indoor ice rinks - Ramsey <br />County's change to long term use agreements for their <br />arena, Vadnais Sports Center financial situation and the <br />need for renovation of the White Bear Lake Sports Center <br />all create a fragility in ice rink supply and emphasize the <br />need for coordination among indoor rinks and local user <br />support of area rinks to ensure sustainability. <br />6. Baseball and softball tournament facilities - The supply <br />of baseball and softball fields in generally is adequate. <br />There is a desire for better tournament facilities for both <br />softball and baseball which translates into concentrations <br />of fields at one location and support facilities (parking, <br />bathrooms, concessions, etc.). <br />Formation of an Athletic Facility Planning Group consisting <br />representatives from the City's, Township and the District <br />is recommended to undertake the detailed planning/ <br />implementation to address the identified key athletic <br />facility needs. <br />To have quality, cost-effective athletic facilities that <br />meet area needs, it is vital to continue to form effective <br />partnerships and to think and act jointly and across <br />jurisdictional borders. <br />Athletic Facilities Needs Assessment ES <br />