10. EDSR 07-11-2011(~, ~
City of
~~~~ MEMORANDUM
l~~.vr
TO: Economic Development Authority
FROM: Jeremy Barnhart, Planning Manager
DATE: July I I, 201 I
SUBJECT: Spectrum Charter School Dome
Item ~ 10
Spectrum Charter School has requested a workshop with the City Council to discuss a
proposed partnership with the City of Elk River for the construction and operation of an
athletic dome.
This workshop is scheduled for after the regular portion of the City Council meeting on July
18, 2011. This memo is intended as an update, as the EDA owns the property in question.
Materials received thus far are attached for EDA member's information. No action is
requested or recommended.
Spectrum proposes construction of a 350' x 124' wide by 40' high dome that was donated
from Lifetime Fitness about three years ago. There remains 12-15 years of life expectancy
on the dome. The dome is to be used by Spectrum for physical education and athletics.
Access to the dome is proposed via the parking lot and access shared by the Briggs building
and Gradient Technology. Briggs has provided Spectrum permission, Gradient Technology
has not.
Spectiuln proposes the City (EDA) sell or lease the land under the dome (and presumably
the parking lot) to Spectrum in exchange for dedicated time for city designated activities. It
is acknowledged that the specifics of the agreement axe very general; upon Council direction,
more detail will be provided.
Staff will be available at the meeting to address any questions should any arise.
C:\Users\adeckert\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Content.0udook\90Y59UE4\Memo to EDA RE
Spectrum Dome 7-11-11.docx
Spectrum -Elk River Dome
A Collaborative School-City Partnership
Dome Information & Background
The dome is 350' long x 124' wide x 40' high. It was formerly owned by LifeTime Fitness in St.
Louis Park as a tennis dome (7 courts). The dome includes 70 suspended light assemblies, exit
doors, two furnace inflation systems, and a revolving door. The dome was ten years old at the
time of the donation to Spectrum with a total life expectancy of 22-25 years.
The dome was donated to Spectrum High School nearly three years ago. At the time; a new
dome with the same components would cost about $450,000. -The intended purpose of the
donation was for the dome to be used for school purposes to enhance fitness, physical education,
and athletics.
Our interest is to put the dome on about 4 acres of city owned property that is adjacent to our
new school site at 17796 Industrial Circle NW in Elk River. This is the site that was previously
under consideration by the city for the YMCA. The location of the dome will not infringe on the
adjacent wetlands.
Spectrum understands that a property owner to the south of the proposed dome site has expressed
some interest to expand (CDI -Custom Curb Adapters). We met with the owner of CDI, Pat
O'Brien, and he indicated that he has no short or long term interest for this city owned property.
Mr. O'Brien has written a letter of support for the dome (attached).
We also met with our neighbor directly to the east of the new school site (Pat Briggs). Mr.
Briggs is the owner of "The Briggs Companies "and also indicated support for the dome and
offered that his parking lot may be used as an easement for access to the dome.
The dome will include an inflatable membrane that covers an artificial turf field. The turf field
may be used for activities such as soccer, lacrosse, softball, baseball, golf, walking, running, etc.
The membrane is intended to be inflated year round and is attached to a concrete wall ranging
from 2-4' high. The winter interior temperature of the dome is generally 50-55 degrees.
Initial property improvements will include a gravel parking lot and electricity. The long term
plans would include a small entry building (about 400 square feet) for restrooms that will
necessitate sewer and water. All property improvements would be completed according to the
City of Elk River building code.
While waiting to begin construction of the dome (hopefully in the summer of 2012); Spectrum
High School would like permission to establish asoccer/football field that would be paid for and
maintained by Spectrum. When not in use by Spectrum; the field may be used without charge by
the City of Elk River. Some, or all, of the field may be covered by the dome once dome
construction begins.
6/30/2011
Dome Proposal
One of the charters of Spectrum High School is community outreach. In keeping with our
vision; Spectrum would like to propose the following partnership for your consideration:
• Spectrum High School will own and operate the dome on city property that is either sold
or leased to the school.
• Spectrum High School will pay for the installation of the athletic field and dome.
• Spectrum High School will maintain property and commercial insurance on the dome;
and compliance with all city, state, and federal regulations.
• Spectrum High School maintains the right to lease the dome for revenue to groups,. teams
and individuals.
• The City of Elk River will receive dedicated time to use the dome for city designated
activities. The amount of time for use by the city will be equivalent to the value of the
land donation or rental to Spectrum High School.
• The block of time for city use will be mutually agreed upon by Elk River and Spectrum
High School. The value applied to the dome use by the city will be the customary rental
rate for the dome.
• After the value of the land donation has been exhausted; the city will continue to receive
the opportunity for priority time and discounted rental rate of the dome.
• The dome will be open to the public for walking, jogging,. and running at no charge
during designated hours of operation.
6/30/2011
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Page 1 of 1
From: Pat Obrien
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2011 10:38 AM
To: tslmon@ci.eik-river.mn.us
Subject: Spectrum pome
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Red
Tim,
I just want to clarify to the City of Ells River, that the proposed Dome construction by the
Spectrum High School does not impede on CDI's expansion plans.
Where they want to locate this Dome is unusable for CDI.
If you need any other clarification please don`t hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely
Pat
Pat Q'Brien
"Guy Who Gets Things Done"
Cell: ~_~
Office: 888.234.7041
Fax:
Email:
"In Order to get what you. ~~~ant, you must first help son2eone get ti~~hat they want."
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6/27/2011