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Council asks staff to pursue grants for outdoor ‘National Fitness Academy’ but questions local demand
Summary
Parks staff briefed council on a National Fitness Academy outdoor amenity and funding options; council asked staff to pursue grants and partner outreach but some members questioned likely local usage and opposed city-funded maintenance absent external funding.
Speaker 12 presented an outreach-led pitch for a National Fitness Academy outdoor fitness amenity, describing potential grant funding (including Blue Cross Blue Shield grants up to $50,000 and a $300,000 NFL New Sports grant) and possible siting at Cloquet Park. The parks commission was reportedly favorable and staff recommended pursuing grant applications and sponsorship opportunities.
Council members expressed mixed views. Speaker 4 said he doubted broad local use and opposed using city dollars unless a grant covered most costs: “I don't think 5% of the people in this city would use this thing … I couldn't see putting any city money to this thing at all,” he said. Other council members and Speaker 13 suggested pursuing grants first and exploring program partnerships and marketing to boost participation; Speaker 12 said the company would assist with marketing and programming.
The council directed staff to research grants and potential sponsors and return with more detail; staff said they could submit the NFL grant quickly and would check other funding templates and partner commitments.
