by Amanda Rink, Editor
Community members and city officials gathered for a workshop Tuesday night to discuss the next steps for the long-anticipated recreation center project. The city signaled its support for the project stating that no taxpayer dollars are currently committed to the construction.
Mayor Rod Heiden opened the meeting by addressing feedback he had received from passionate individuals regarding his upcoming reelection and his commitment to doing what he believes is best for our community, “If I don’t get reelected for doing what I think is right for the city, I’m okay with it. So let’s stay respectful. The REC committee has put a lot of hours in this project.”
The meeting reviewed various plans the REC committee has considered, but focused mainly on “Option C”. The latest plan is a single-story design that reduced original costs and garnered the most support from attendees, even with the walking track on the same level as the basketball court.
“Show of hands supporting option C?” Presenter and REC Center board me
mber Andrew Odland asked. The response was overwhelmingly positive, with most of the room raising their hands. Despite the enthusiasm, fundraising remains a challenge.
Fundraising and Financial Concerns – With $4.1 million pledged for the project, large donors remain hesitant to commit unless the city or the school district takes an official stake. Matt Odland, another board member for the REC, noted that even individuals he spoke with felt hesitant to donate to the project until they were further along. Lawyers may not approve donations to a private board, which the REC center is, adding another challenge to the mix.
City Administrator Clint Middleton, who did express personal support for the project, was vocal during the meeting and broke down city concerns in a direct way. He acknowledged concerns about funding but emphasized the city will remain fiscally responsible above all else.
“We don’t need another swimming pool,” said Middleton, referring to the city’s annual $80,000 cost to keep the pool open. The city could own the facility similarly to how it owns the daycare center, with the center paying rent and the city handling maintenance and utilities but not daily operations.
While the city is open to owning the building post-construction, Middleton clarified that the city is not currently committing funds toward construction. This is because once a government entity is involved costs increase because of engineering design requirements and national wage standards.
Grants were also discussed, though Middleton noted that while smaller grants may be available for equipment, major funding opportunities for large projects are limited. “There’s not a lot of grants out there to pay for monstrous chunks of projects,” Middleton stated.
Middleton reassured attendees that even if some city funds are ultimately required, which the city has offered to the REC Board for $2 million and was denied, the city’s budget has funds earmarked for The REC Center, a new fire station, and continued city pavement improvements.
“It’s not an either-or situation,” he explained, emphasizing that none of the development projects will surpass the city’s debt limit. All of the support the city is offering to the REC Center could also be provided by the Clarion-Goldfield-Dows School District. The only difference is where it would affect the taxpayers, the town of Clarion, or the entire CGD School District if the school takes the reins.
CGD Superintendent Joseph Nelson was present and vocal about his personal and professional support for the REC Center.
School Involvement– While the CGD School Board of Education has expressed support for the project, they have not earmarked funds for the construction of the project. With two major additions to the school in recent years, a bond measure to raise taxes in November would be required if the school were to consider a stake. The school and the REC held a public workshop in the Fall of 2024 and agreed on the type of support they could offer.
What the school has offered is the use of the High School parking lot, outdoor security cameras, lawn and snow maintenance, and rent of $1,800 for use of the basketball court after school. Superintendent Nelson shared that he feels the REC Center would be an “opportunity center” for children in the district, offering a safe place for students to go after school. Current Clarion Fitness Director Ben Kenobbie was at the workshop as well, offering his thoughts when asked directly.
Current Fitness Center and Community Impact- Concerns were addressed regarding how the REC Center would partner with the current fitness center. The Clarion Fitness Center is a private nonprofit run under the direction of a board that has been operating successfully for twenty years. The nonprofit currently does not pay rent to the building owner on Main Street, furthering the low cost of operation.
Some expressed concern that if the Clarion Fitness Center were to join the REC Center as soon as the doors open and the center were to fail, it could leave the community without a gym. Others worried that competition between the two facilities could weaken both.
“If there’s not a governing body financially behind this to make sure it doesn’t go broke, what happens if the private entity fails?” one attendee asked.
Organizers emphasized their goal of working with the fitness center rather than competing against it. “The only way we’re going to move forward with this is if we have the current fitness center on board and working with us, as they have been,” Andrew Odland noted.
“The fitness center board continues to support and partner with the REC board for the success of the community as we have since the beginning of the project,” Kenobbie shared with The Wright County Monitor.
Additionally, questions were raised about how current fitness center members would transition to the new facility. Discussions indicated that efforts would be made to ensure a smooth transition if the current fitness center moved to the REC Center.
Community Support and Next Steps- A formal city council vote of support is expected soon, maybe before this issue of the newspaper is printed, which would allow the REC Board to begin fundraising and grant writing efforts again.
One community member expressed confidence in raising the remaining funds, stating that even with only 5% of the community contributing there is already 40% of the total pledged. He further emphasized that “the money is out there” especially considering the REC Board has a “new plan that’s $8.5 million, which is a lot less scary number than $10.2 million. We’re halfway there already!”
The goal remains to complete the project without relying on bond measures, or the city’s direct funding. Some community members have expressed concern over choosing between a fire station and a recreational center, but city officials reassured them that both projects are budgeted to move forward.
The community’s enthusiasm and an ongoing discussion between the city, school, the rec board, and the current fitness center will be key in determining the project’s ultimate success.
