Frequently asked questions
Construction and closures
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Phase 1 of the investment plan includes a third sheet of ice, infrastructure investments, including system upgrades and roof repairs, parking lot improvements, and upgrades to the Lion's Pavilion. New swimming pools, more space for senior programs, expanded event and banquet space, space for the arts, and a walking track are also being discussed as possibilities for phase 2.
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The project is being completed in phases.
The Ice Arena addition and phase 1 improvements are complete.
During phase 2, areas of the Community Center will close at different times:
Ice Arena: Remains open throughout construction. Entrances, parking and access routes may change.
Grove Cove Aquatic Center: Closed.
Gymnasium and Teen Center: Open through February 2027, with closure tentatively scheduled for March 2027.
Maple Maze and Senior Center: Open through June 2027, with closure tentatively scheduled for July 2027.
Banquet and rental rooms: Available through June 2027, subject to scheduling, with closure tentatively scheduled for July 2027.
Parks and Recreation office: Remains at the Community Center through June 2027 and is tentatively scheduled to move to the Government Center in July 2027.
The tentative reopening schedule is:
May 2028: Renovated Community Center reopens.
June 2028: Aquatic Center opens.
December 2028: Activity Center opens.
Dates may change as construction progresses. Visit the construction and closure updates page for the latest information before visiting.
Visiting and participation during construction
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Beginning September 8, 2026, annual Community Center memberships are no longer available for purchase. Existing annual memberships expired September 7, 2026, as the Community Center transitioned to month-to-month memberships.
Month-to-month memberships provide flexibility as amenities close at different stages of construction. Current memberships include access to the gymnasium and Maple Maze while those amenities remain open. The Aquatic Center and Ice Arena are not included.
Membership options will be adjusted as additional areas close. Members will receive information in advance of any changes affecting their membership. Visit the Community Center membership page for current options and policies.
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The gymnasium is tentatively scheduled to remain open through February 2027 and close in March 2027. Open gym availability varies because of programs and rentals. View the current gymnasium schedule and admission information.
Maple Maze is tentatively scheduled to remain open through June 2027 and close in July 2027. View current hours and admission information on the Maple Maze webpage.
Daily admission is available for both amenities while they are open. Check their webpages before arriving for current hours, schedules and closure information.
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Banquet and rental rooms are tentatively scheduled to remain available through June 2027. Rental availability may change as construction progresses. Please visit the rental page webpage for more Information about rentals in the renovated Community Center will be shared closer to reopening.
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The city is making every effort to continue as many Parks and Recreation programs, classes, camps, leagues and events as possible. Some may be temporarily unavailable because of facility or scheduling limitations.
Depending on the activity, programs may be held at Maple Grove parks and athletic facilities, area schools, Town Green, the Sports Dome, Cross Winds Church for senior programming, and other partner facilities throughout the community.
Each program's confirmed location will be listed in the activity guide and online registration listing. Locations may differ from previous seasons, so please review those details when registering
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Following the Grove Cove Aquatic Center closure, swim lessons are being offered at Osseo Middle School and the Holiday Inn & Suites Venetian Waterpark. The location for each class will be listed in the activity guide and online registration listing.
Maple Maze is tentatively scheduled to remain open through June 2027 and close in July 2027. View current hours and admission information on the Maple Maze webpage.
Daily admission is available for both amenities while they are open. Construction dates are tentative, and visitors should check the webpages before arriving for current schedules, hours and closure information.
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The Senior Center is tentatively scheduled to remain open through May 2027. The city plans to continue senior programming during construction, including programs at Cross Winds Church and other locations in the community. The confirmed location for each program will be listed in the activity guide and online registration listing.
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The Parks and Recreation office will temporarily move to the Maple Grove Government Center when its current Community Center space closes in July 2027. Updated office hours and visitor information will be shared before the move.
Phase 2 - Community Center and new Activity & Aquatic Center
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The City and Life Time finalized a land exchange agreement in late 2024. Life Time will continue operating in its current building until its new facility is ready, which is expected in late 2027. After Life Time moves, the City will take ownership of the adjoining 70,000-square-foot building and renovate it into the new Activity & Aquatic Center.
The additional space will allow for expanded aquatics and fitness amenities while keeping the Community Center's social and event spaces together.
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The renovated and expanded Community Center will include more space for recreation and senior programs, a dedicated arts room and gallery, updated banquet and rental spaces, and accessibility and building improvements.
The new Activity and Aquatic Center, located in the current Life Time building, is planned to include expanded indoor and outdoor aquatics, cardio and strength training equipment, fitness studios, an indoor walking track and a new indoor playground.
The renovated Community Center is tentatively scheduled to reopen in May 2028, followed by the Aquatic Center in June 2028 and the Activity Center in December 2028.
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Yes. The renovated and expanded Community Center will include a dedicated arts room and gallery, along with more space for senior programs. Details about programs and use of these spaces will be shared closer to reopening.
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The project includes a new 400-seat banquet room with an outdoor event terrace, as well as updated meeting, party and rental rooms. Information about reservations and availability will be shared closer to reopening.
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Daily admission and membership rates have not yet been finalized. The city is developing options that reflect the expanded amenities. Rates and membership options will be shared before the facilities open and posted on the Community Center membership page.
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Participation in SilverSneakers at the new Activity & Aquatic Center has not yet been determined. The city is reviewing how SilverSneakers and other insurance-based fitness programs could work with the new facility's membership options. More information will be shared as those options are finalized.
Planning and design
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The Community Center is one of Maple Grove's most-used gathering places. As the community has grown, residents have identified a need for more aquatic and ice capacity, expanded space for senior programs, arts and events, and updates to the building's aging systems. The project will address those needs and help the center serve the community for years to come.
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Residents shared their ideas through surveys, community events and meetings with groups that use the Community Center. Families, seniors, teens, arts groups, athletic associations, civic groups and businesses provided input. Their feedback helped identify priorities such as more aquatic and ice capacity and additional space for senior programs, arts and events. City staff used those priorities to develop the renovation and expansion plan.
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The project includes water-saving plumbing fixtures, LED lighting and ventilation systems designed to reduce energy use. Plans also include geothermal cooling for the ice rink, stormwater improvements, native vegetation and expanded walking and biking connections. Materials were selected with consideration for recycled content, indoor air quality and where they are manufactured.
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The city informed and encouraged local contractors to bid on the project. Contracts were awarded through the required public bidding process.
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View the phase two design presentation shared with the City Council on May 4, 2026. It includes floor plans and images of the proposed spaces. Designs may change as the project moves through construction.
Project cost and funding
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The total project cost is $122 million. The largest funding source is the half-cent local sales tax approved by voters in November 2022, which will provide up to $90 million over a period of up to 20 years. The project also received $6 million in state bonding funds. The remaining funding comes from grants, sponsorships, donations, interest and bond premiums, a geothermal tax credit, a land sale and other city funding sources.
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The Council explored many options to pay for the Community Center project, including property taxes, and considered whether to spread out the improvements in phases over several years. In the end, the Council determined that moving forward with a more comprehensive improvement plan utilizing a local sales tax would be the best way to provide the services residents are seeking for the future and decided to present that option to voters. In November 2022, voters approved the local sales tax to finance this investment plan.
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The city anticipates there will be an increase in operating costs for the larger, more complex facility when the project is completed. The current subsidy to the Community Center operation is $900,000, which would increase by $1.2 million, for a total subsidy of $2.1 million which is paid by the tax levy. The city will work to manage the increase through effective cost management, greater energy efficiency and exploring additional revenue opportunities.
Local sales tax
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Unlike a property tax option, the half-cent sales tax ensures that both residents and nonresidents share in the cost to reinvest in it – not solely Maple Grove residents who own residential or commercial property.
About 55% of the sales tax for the Community Center – or $49.5 million of the cost – will be paid by non-residents, according to estimates by the University of Minnesota Extension Center. For residents of Maple Grove, the estimated cost of the half-cent sales tax is about $3.20 per month.
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The half-cent sales tax in Maple Grove went into effect on April 1, 2023.
In December 2022, the City Council passed an ordinance to impose a local option sales tax in Maple Grove.
This action was followed by the city providing notice to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, the agency that announces all local sales tax starts, changes, or ends. Notice of the April 1, 2023, effective date for the sales tax is also posted on the City of Maple Grove website.
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The local half-percent sales tax is applied the same way as the state sales tax. There are exemptions to the sales tax, including the purchase of groceries, clothing, prescription and over-the-counter drugs, feminine hygiene products and baby products. For more information, view this list of taxable items and this list of most nontaxable items from the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
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Dozens of cities and counties have adopted local sales taxes that are collected on top of the state's 6.875% sales tax rate to pay for major public projects. The local sales taxes are most often from 0.5 to 1% (or ½ cent to 1 cent for every $1 spent).
A local sales tax is used to help pay for a variety of major public projects that benefit the community, including new community centers, jails, libraries, and other public amenities. In recent years, several metro area cities have approved a local sales tax, including Saint Peter (new fire station), Elk River (parks and recreation improvements), Rogers (trail and pedestrian projects and aquatics), West St. Paul (road projects) and International Falls (transportation and infrastructure).
Like Maple Grove, several counties and cities across Minnesota approved a local option sales tax, including Edina (parks and recreation investments), Grand Rapids (civic center investments) Moorhead (community center and library) and Litchfield (community wellness and recreation center).
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A half-cent sales tax adds a half a penny for a every $1 spent. In other words, an additional 5 cents is added to a $10 purchase or 50 cents for a $100 purchase.
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The local sales tax is not permanent. It was approved to help repay project bonds over a period of up to 20 years and will end when the bonds have been retired, subject to the terms of the authorization.
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Businesses collect the local tax on taxable retail sales to customers in Maple Grove. Some business purchases may be exempt under Minnesota sales tax rules, including qualifying purchases for resale. Businesses should consult the Minnesota Department of Revenue for guidance on taxable sales, exemptions and required documentation.