Advisory committee hears update on combined parks, rec and ice arena feasibility study; fitness added to scope

The Parks, Recreation and Harbor Advisory Committee received an update on the special committee reviewing a feasibility study for a combined parks, recreation and ice arena facility and heard that the committee has added a fitness component to the project scope.

Marie Tulep, parks and recreation director, said the city-appointed special committee met April 10 to review the feasibility study and produce a final report for city council by July 10. The study envisions a combined building on Griffin Road with two ice sheets (one game sheet and one practice sheet), dedicated childcare and multi-use multigenerational rooms, a three-court gymnasium, and a separate building for park and school maintenance operations.

Tulep said committee members recommended adding a fitness component — common in comparable facilities and a potential revenue source to offset operations — to complement nonprofit and private-sector offerings rather than duplicate them. The combined approach, she said, could also free up current maintenance space that school staff now occupy at the high school.

Tulep said consultants developed a single plan that replaces both Sawyer Arena and the Park and Rec Center, which staff noted could have commercial value if the downtown properties are repurposed. She said longer-term decisions about existing buildings would depend on market interest and the condition of the facilities; the consultant found repurposing Sawyer Arena would require significant investment.

The special committee will continue its work, and Tulep said meetings are being livestreamed and that the committee will call on staff and stakeholders as needed. The advisory committee asked to be notified of future meeting dates so members can observe or participate.