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Forest Lake approves $30,015 study to map athletic fields, school district to pay $10,000
Summary
The council approved a $30,015 feasibility study by Ballard King to inventory city and school athletic facilities and recommend investment priorities; the Forest Lake School District will contribute $10,000 toward the study.
The Forest Lake City Council approved a $30,015 contract with Ballard King to conduct an outdoor athletic facilities study aimed at inventorying the city’s and the school district’s fields, assessing duplication, and recommending maintenance and investment priorities.
City staff said they have been meeting with the school district since mid-2025 to identify overlaps in athletic facilities and to determine whether the city and district are duplicating fields and maintenance. Staff noted the city’s parks 10-year CIP currently lists about $7.5 million in athletic facility items that are not yet budgeted.
The study will compile existing data, compare usage and fee structures, assess whether lights or refurbishment could extend field capacity instead of building new fields, and evaluate an aquatic center option the school district asked to include. Ballard King’s proposal includes the aquatic center analysis within the quoted fee.
The council moved, seconded and approved the study contract and recorded that the Forest Lake School District will contribute $10,000 toward the $30,015 cost. No council opposition was recorded.
Next steps: Ballard King will begin the feasibility analysis and staff said study findings are expected to inform the parks master plan and the city’s 10-year CIP.
