Community Activity Center
Overview
The Community Activity Center, located at 5600 85th Avenue in Brooklyn Park, was built in 1983 and attracts over 350,000 residents, visitors, and others each year. The facility is currently home to two ice arenas, two banquet rooms, a small fitness room, two racquetball courts, and a gymnasium shared with the National Guard Armory, staff offices, and other amenities.
Brooklyn Park’s growing population has led to higher demand of CAC offerings and space. To address these needs, City leaders began exploring ways to better utilize existing space, as well as options for expansion. In 2018, CAC improvements were included in the $26 million Park Bond Referendum. Residents approved the referendum in November 2018. City leaders explored a possible partnership with the YMCA, but the partnership dissolved in the wake of COVID-19 impacts.
The plan resulting from the 2018 Park Bond Referendum focuses on enhancing the customer experience by improving the front entry, customer service desk, and public bathrooms.
In 2022, City leaders began exploring additional ways to serve residents, including the addition of sports ball courts and the potential conversion of an ice rink. City leaders requested funds in the 2023 Legislative Session, which resulted in an additional $5 million to aid in the conversion of one of the ice rinks. Following robust conversation throughout 2023, the City Council directed staff to explore alternate options for the CAC remodel. At present, the City Council has reviewed the most up-to-date information on costs and potential options and must now decide on a path forward.
How will we pay for the CAC Remodel?
The CAC remodel will require a variety of funding sources. Regardless of which remodel option is selected, there is a projected funding gap of over $3 million and up to $13.2 million. Currently, two funding sources have been secured:
- Park Bond Referendum funds: $2 million
- State Bonding funds: $5 million. Unless there is an amendment to the 2023 State Bonding Request, these funds may only be used for an ice rink conversion.
CAC Remodel Options
The City Council is exploring three primary options for the CAC remodel. All three options include fulfilling the promise to residents following the 2018 Park Bond Referendum, which includes entrance and corridor improvements.
| Option 1 | Option 2 | Option 3 | |
| Entrance/corridor improvements only | Ice Rink #1 conversion (including entrance & exterior improvements) | Gym addition (including entrance & exterior improvements) | |
| Entrance & Corridor Improvements | $5,047,869 | $5,047,869 | $5,047,869 |
| Courts | N/A | $6,662,116 | $13,394,933 |
| Exterior Improvements | None | $1,784,635 | $1,784,635 |
| Total Cost Estimate | $5,047,869 | $13,494,620 | $20,227,437 |
| Park Bond Funding | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 | $2,000,000 |
| State Bonding | $ 0 | $5,000,000 | $5,000,000* |
| Estimated Funding Gap | $3,047,869 | $6,494,620 | $13,227,437 |
| Staffing Impact | None | Possible Reduction | Likely Addition |
Option 1: Focus only on improving the entrance and corridors (front entry, customer service desk, bathrooms) to enhance the customer experience. Both ice rinks remain, but no additional courts will be created.
- Estimated funding gap: $3 million
- Staffing impact: None
Option 2: Improve the entrance and corridors and convert one ice rink (Arena #1) to create three multi-use courts for basketball, volleyball, pickleball or event support space, and make improvements to the exterior grounds and parking flow.
- Estimated funding gap: $6.4 million
- Staffing impact: Possible reduction in staff
Option 3: Improve the entrance and corridors and keep both ice rinks and create three multi-use courts for basketball, volleyball, pickleball or event support space, and make improvements to the exterior grounds and parking flow.
- Estimated funding gap: $13.2 million
- Staffing impact: Likely addition of staff
Engagement
City leaders have engaged with the community, City Council members, and the Recreation and Parks Advisory Community at various points over the past several years.
2024 Community Meeting
Come learn about the Community Activity Center Improvements Project. Staff will share information about the possible options and you will have an opportunity to share your opinions. The City Council will likely make decisions on this project later this spring. Snacks will be served.
If you need an interpreter or a reasonable accommodation to participate, please contact Chris Xiong at chris.xiong@brooklynpark.org
Please RSVP online to let us know you’re coming >
Thursday, March 7, 2024
6:30-8:00pm
Community Activity Center (Gardenview Room)
5600 85th Ave N
2023 Community Engagement
In 2023 the City engaged the community on this project via City Council meeting public comment periods, emails, calls, and meetings with stakeholders. City leaders found it very valuable to hear the perspectives of current ice rink user groups and potential court user groups. In addition, the Recreation and Parks Advisory Committee engaged in the project, getting updates and sharing their feedback to advise the City Council.
2022 Community Meeting and Survey
The City hosted a virtual meeting on CAC improvements in January 2022 and followed up with a survey to gain up to date ideas and preferences from residents on how to update the Community Activity Center. The survey ran from February 8 to March 4, 2022 both online and in-person. We received a total of 1,918 responses.
2017 Park System Plan Community Engagement
City staff leveraged a 26-member Community Advisory Team and a 40 member Community Outreach Team as well as Youth Facilitators to engage residents using a variety of strategies. These included pop-up meetings, a survey (online, door to door and at events), in person events, and other targeted measures to reach deep into our community. One of the key findings was the desire for adding a gym/fieldhouse for year-round use, in addition to an aquatics facility and performing arts/studio arts facility.
Updates
November 2023: Staff collaborated with JLG Architects to develop a concept and provide cost estimates for additional gym space. This space could accommodate three basketball courts, three volleyball courts, or nine pickleball courts. This proposal aims to avoid converting rink one into gym space.
During the November 27 meeting, staff presented information requested by the Council, covering various options and cost estimates. No decision was made at this meeting; instead, the Council directed staff to explore the possibility of conducting a needs assessment.
September 2023: The CAC Improvements project was discussed at the September 5, 2023 City Council work session, alongside the Central Fire Station and Senior Center. The Council requested additional information about ice arena operations and explored alternative options for a gym facility at the Community Activity Center. Staff has gathered this information for future presentation to the City Council.
June 2023: In collaboration with JLG/292 Design Group, staff assessed the feasibility of converting one ice arena into three basketball courts. A final concept design was provided to staff in January and refined in February. The cost estimates for CAC improvements, including enhanced entrances, informal gathering spaces, relocated office space, improved parking, and potential arena conversion to gym space, were in the range of $12 – $15 million. The City of Brooklyn Park secured $5 million in state bonding funds during the 2023 Legislative Session for these improvements. Discussions on various city projects are scheduled for July to determine the next steps.
March 23, 2023: At the July 25, 2022 City Council meeting, Council decided that, considering priorities such as fire station construction/remodeling and other financial commitments, an aquatic facility would not be part of the upcoming CAC improvements. Staff is collaborating with the JLG/292 Design Group to explore converting one ice arena into three basketball courts. The JLG/292 Design Group is working with staff to refine cost estimates to align with the project budget.
January 2023: A final concept design was provided to whom? on January 3, 2023.
July 2022: Staff engaged with 292 Design Group to update the 2018 Aquatics Feasibility Study and finalize the strategy for CAC improvements, including recommended amenities. During the May 2, 2022 work session, the City Council reviewed four design concepts with varying amenities, construction costs, and ongoing operating costs. The Council expressed interest in CAC Improvements, incorporating an improved entrance, dedicated senior space, fitness areas, two gymnasiums, locker rooms, and an aquatics facility with lap/lesson pool and waterpark. Funding strategies for the $47 million construction estimate will be discussed at the July 25, 2022 City Council meeting.
January 2022: The city conducted a survey to gain up to date ideas and preferences from residents on how to update the Community Activity Center. The survey ran from February 8 to March 4, 2022 both online and in-person. We received a total of 1,918 responses. Thank you to everyone who completed the survey!