Politics & Government

10 New Items on the Bielenberg Sports Center Expansion Project

The Woodbury City Council on Wednesday approved the site plan, authorized Kraus-Anderson to solicit bids for the work and approved the sale of bonds.

“This process has been extensive.”

So said City Administrator Clint Gridley on Wednesday before the Woodbury City Council approved the latest round of measures that move the Bielenberg Sports Center expansion project forward.

The council approved the site plan, authorized Kraus-Anderson to solicit bids for the work and approved bond sales to fund the $21.8 million project, which will be completed without a tax increase.

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The expected opening date for the new facility—which also includes a new two-story lobby and outdoor rink—is February or March 2014.

In light of Gridley’s comment, here are 10 new items—or things not often mentioned in Patch stories—on the Bielenberg Sports Center expansion project. (For further details, check out the links below or click on the PDF with this post.)

Find out what's happening in Woodburywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

1. Council Concerns

Councilman Paul Rebholz on Wednesday reiterated his concern about the position of delivery doors, saying he would prefer that they were not sited near the main entrance. He called it a “significant design issue.”

It would take a “minor modification” to the plans to change the position of the doors, Rebholz said.

Gridley said staff has looked into that suggestion, but it would require a separate driveway.

Rebholz said he simply wanted his concern noted for the record, and voted “yes,” along with the rest of the council, on the overall site plan.

2. Pond

A holding pond near the sports center will be drained, dredged and expanded, and storm water from the site will be ushered to it.

Through a “slinky system,” the pond will also be used for geothermal at the Bielenberg Sports Center, Gridley said.

Water from the pond is also used for irrigation of the fields at Bielenberg.

3. Plaza

A new plaza in front of the main lobby will provide additional space for events.

4. Playground

A new inclusive playground for kids of all abilities, Madison’s Place, will be built adjacent to the new field house.

The Madison Claire Foundation is spearheading the initiative and has been raising funds for the project. Dana Millington, the main organizer for the playground effort, is a Woodbury Patch blogger. See:

—It Takes a Village

—Giving the Gift of Play

5. Softball/Baseball

While the new field house will have space for full-sized football, soccer and lacrosse fields, the facility will also be able to accommodate “light” softball and baseball, Gridley said.

“And probably uses we haven’t even thought of,” he said.

6. Demo Date

The April 6 Woodbury Community Expo will be the last major event held at the Bielenberg Sports Center.

Demolition and construction is expected to begin April 8.

7. Splash Pad

While there is a $500,000 allowance for a water feature, it is not part of the base bid, Gridley said.

8. Bids

The council will likely award bids for the bulk work and adopt a finalized budget at its March 13 meeting.

9. Existing Rinks

There will be $500,000 in improvements to the existing rinks, including the recoating of the exterior, which will provide better aesthetics and insulation.

10. Parking

There are no immediate plans to expand parking at the site, but the city plans to set designate some land should the need arise in the future.

Previous Coverage

Major Decisions on Bielenberg Sports Center Expansion: Woodbury Council Preview

Beer at Bielenberg? Woodbury Plans to Ask Residents in Community Survey

Last Hurrah for Woodbury’s Bielenberg Sports Center

Virtual Tour of Plans for Bielenberg Sports Center Expansion

Woodbury Firm on Third Ice Sheet for Bielenberg Sports Center Expansion

Woodbury Councilwoman Renews Call for ‘Splash Pad’ as Part of Bielenberg Expansion Plans

Cost Estimate for Bielenberg Sports Center Expansion Bumped Up

 

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