Dozens of residents asked the International Falls City Council on July 21 to rebuild the historic band shell at Smokey Bear Park after it burned, pressing the city to use insurance funds to return the structure to its original appearance. Mayor Dell and council members said the band shell issue remains under review by a council committee and the city has not yet finalized how insurance proceeds will be used.
Why it matters: The band shell is a long-standing community amenity and a focal point for events; residents said they expect the structure to be replaced with a historically similar facility and asked for transparency on consultant costs and insurance proceeds.
Public commenters said the community wants a straightforward replacement rather than an expanded park master plan. "Replace the band shell with something that looks and acts like the band shell in our historic Smokey Bear Park and make sure that it meets all current codes," resident Jim Lukachek told the council. Margie Irache said she is "an inspector" by trade and urged the council to "replace the band shell historically as accurate as can be, following code." Nancy Umhof said she agrees the structure should be rebuilt and asked, "What was the band shell insured for?"
Council response and committee work: Mayor Dell told the meeting his understanding was the band shell building was insured for about $709,000, with contents valued at roughly $15,552, and said the matter is being considered by a committee that includes Councilor Gaither and Councilor Wagner. Administrator Bergstrom and committee members said an engineering firm was engaged early in the process at the request of the insurer and that committee meetings have produced conceptual master-plan material rather than final designs. Committee members told residents the committee is still gathering information and that a proposal will be returned to the council for vote, "hopefully with the budget."
Unresolved financial and process details: Multiple speakers asked how much the city has paid consultants so far; city staff said they did not have an exact figure at the meeting but that the number could be provided as public record. Residents noted the band shell's foundation had been removed and asked whether that work—and any consultant work—was necessary. Councilors and staff said the engineering review was required by the insurer and that the final insurance tally is still pending. Administrator Bergstrom said the city does not plan to spend more than the insurance proceeds for the band shell but did not provide a final dollar amount.
Next steps: Councilors said the committee will continue its work and that the item will return to council; several residents urged the city to prioritize a historically accurate replacement and asked that meeting notices and minutes be made available so the public can follow committee discussions. "At some point something will be coming back to the council to vote on, hopefully with the budget," Mayor Dell said. Ending note: Residents offered to volunteer and urged the council to move promptly; committee members told the council and the public that further details and a recommended path forward will be provided in future committee materials.