Park Board Item - Jerome Krieger, Senior Parks and Recreation Manager
Title
Title
Aquatore Band Shell
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Executive Summary
As part of the Parks Master Plan a band shell or performance stage was identified as a possible addition to the Aquatore Park. The Blaine Festival Committee would like to present some possible ideas for a Band Shell at Aquatore Park.
Background
On July 13, 2020 the Blaine City Council accepted a donation of $150,000 from the Blaine Festival Committee to be used for the construction of a band shell at Aquatore Park. In December of 2020 the city approved $75,000 to be levied for the 2021 fiscal year as the Aquatore Band Shell Project Levy. A total of $800,000 ($400,000 for the Band Shell and $400,000 for the restroom replacement) is included in the 2021-25 Parks Capital Improvement Plan for improvements to Aquatore Park in 2023. The Festival Committee is willing to contribute an additional $250,000 for a total of $400,000 towards the band shell if the project can be completed by 2023.
Staff is reviewing the Parks CIP and is drafting a project schedule and timeline and assessing the steps needed to complete the project within the proposed timeframe, including design of the buildings and cost estimates. Also to be considered are potential wetland impacts the project could bring to Aquatore Park.
Strategic Plan Relationship
This project meets the strategic plan priority of a Well-Maintained infrastructure.
Financial Impact
Funds are available for the construction of the Band Shell and the restroom replacement at Aquatore Park and the project is scheduled in the Parks CIP for construction in 2023. Staff is researching the amount to be budgeted annually in the City’s General Fund to maintain the improvements.
Staff Recommendation
Staff is requesting the Park Board to consider the Blaine Festival Committee’s presentation and provide a recommendation for moving forward.