Project updates

The ice area improvements are considered phase one of the overall project. Design work is underway with the city’s architect, JLG Architects, and its construction manager, RJM Construction.

The design team continues working on the mechanical, HVAC, and electrical systems as well as furthering the site and parking lot design and architectural look. It is anticipated the phase one project design will be ready for construction bids in May and construction in late July following Maple Grove Days.

City staff continue to communicate with representatives of Life Time Fitness regarding the future of its facility.

Funds collected from the local option sales tax as well as contributions from athletic associations and sponsorships wil finance the design and construction of the third sheet of ice. The city continues to seek additional funding from the state to support the full project vision. A request of $16.5 million for future phase construction has been submitted for consideration during the 2024 legislative session. A decision is anticipated in May at the end of the session.

The design for the balance of the Community Center project is anticipated at the conclusion of the Life Time negotiations and as final funding is secured.

In mid-October, the City Council approved schematic design and directed staff to proceed with the design development phase.

At the December 4 joint City Council/Park Board work session, JLG Architects shared updates on the Community Center project.

As the design phase advances this winter, the architect will detail the specifics and construction methods. Also, decisions will be made on the final building look. Those concepts will be incorporated into future improvements as the project phases proceed to the main building.

The city continues to seek additional funding from the state. A request of $16.5 million for future phase construction has been submitted for consideration during the 2024 legislative session. A decision is anticipated in May 2024 near the end of the session.

City continues negotiations with Life Time to purchase their facility but is prepared to move forward with the Community Center investment plan without the Life Time facility that adjoins the center.

Staff continues discussions with the school district, hockey booster club, and youth hockey association on their funding contribution for the renovation of locker rooms and the third sheet of ice.

The design for the balance of the Community Center project is anticipated for late fall.

The Minnesota Legislature approved omnibus bonding bill that awarded $6 million of a $22.5 million state bonding request. Funds are directed for project design and cannot be used for construction.

Design work for the third sheet of ice is underway with the architect for the project, JLG Architects, and the construction manager at risk, RJM Construction. View draft design concepts and site plans on the Resources page of this website

The Maple Grove City Council and Park Board directed staff to proceed with three strategies:

1) Phase the construction project starting with the ice arena as phase one.

2) Create a unique parcel for the arena to avoid state funding restrictions around sponsorships and advertisements.

3) Pursue 2024 state bonding funds to fill the $16.5 million budgetary gap in construction funding.

Discussions continued with Life Time on the acquisition of their facility and property for inclusion in the renovation and expansion project.

The half-cent sales tax in Maple Grove went into effect on April 1, 2023.

The City Council approved a contract with JLG Architects for architectural and engineering services. RJM was selected as the construction management service for the project.

City staff developed a project design governance model that includes city leadership and staff as well as external input as follows:

Staff project team: Parks and recreation director and community center manager

Owner’s team: Members include leadership from the City Council, Park Board, and key city staff members.

Community Center working group: This group was established in early 2022 with various citizens brought together to provide input and share community feedback on the project.

The Maple Grove City Council adopted an ordinance imposing the half-cent local option sales tax in December 2022 and notified the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

In January 2023, the Department of Revenue published the notice that the local option sales tax for Maple Grove would go into effect on April 1, 2023.

The city moved forward with design work.