Rec center proposes 7,200-square-foot turf addition, committee authorizes capital grant application

Medina Community Recreation Center staff presented a proposed 7,200-square-foot indoor turf addition and the finance committee authorized the city to seek state capital funding for the project.

Jonathan (Recreation Center staff) described a clear-span indoor turf space approximately 90 by 83 feet that would connect to existing locker rooms and restrooms and provide a venue for youth programming, third-party rentals and school use. Staff said the addition would ease pressure on the field house during peak times and expand opportunities for programming and rentals.

Staff said they are prepared to commit at least $500,000 from the rec center carry-forward balance if the city’s grant application is successful; staff also reported the rec center carry-forward balance at about $2.2 million. The project design includes a back entrance to separate school access from rec-center patrons and a plan to use third-party rentals to offset operating costs.

Timing, funding and roles Staff said the application process is time-sensitive: project information is being collected now for legislator consideration and the application is expected to be reviewed by state committees in early next year. Staff estimated the maximum practical state capital request would likely be about $1 million and said additional funding would need to come from private foundations, naming rights, boosters or the city’s own carry-forward funds. Staff and council discussed the need to identify gap funding up front so the project can proceed if awarded a grant.

Use, operations and cost-sharing City staff said the city would lead the capital project and the school district would contribute the land (the schools’ property) and continue to share use under the existing joint-operating agreement. Staff said long-term maintenance and utility costs would be split 50/50 with the schools as provided in the joint-operating agreement after the addition is built and the lease or operating agreement is amended.

Council action and next steps The committee voted to authorize submission of a capital bill grant request for the turffield addition and instructed staff to continue fundraising and partnership outreach. Staff said if the project is not awarded grant funding the plan will remain on the shelf.

Ending Committee members asked staff to pursue foundations, MRDD program funding that could apply if programming benefits that community, and any local naming-rights or private donors to cover the likely funding gap if the state award is less than the full cost.