Woodbury Councilman Pushes for Flagpole at Expanded Bielenberg Sports Center

Looking up at a flagpole recently while waiting to pick his child up from school, Councilman Christopher Burns was struck with a thought.

He didn’t recall seeing a flagpole as part of the plans for the Bielenberg Sports Center expansion project.

Burns took a second look at the drawings and contacted city staff, and found that there was no plan to have a flagpole at the sports center once the expansion is complete.

“We just need to have one,” he said.

Burns broached the topic during a workshop meeting Wednesday night, and after his fellow council members agreed, the first change order for the project will likely include moving the existing flagpole, he said. (It will have to come down for construction, which is expected to begin the week of April 14.)

“I think that government buildings should probably fly our stars and stripes,” Burns said.

“It struck me as the right thing to do,” he added.

The city is set to begin construction on the $21.8 million BSC expansion project this month. Plans call for a field house to replace the existing dome, along with a new two-story lobby and outdoor pleasure rink.

Burns said the newly revamped Bielenberg Sports Center will likely be the most visited spot in Woodbury, “a shining example of the city,” and it makes sense to honor the nation and its military with a flagpole.

“If anywhere should have a flag, I think it’s this,” Burns said.

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