(LINO LAKES) – The City of Lino Lakes ordered a feasibility study to find out what it would take to possibly re-open and at least partially operate the closed YMCA fitness center next door to city hall.
City council passed the resolution at a meeting on Monday night and agreed to pay Isaac Sports Group out of Michigan $24,000 to perform a comprehensive–yet expedient–feasibility study. City leaders hope to have some results and information back by early Spring.
In July, YMCA of the North announced it would not re-open the 15-year-old Lino Lakes fitness center because of pandemic-related budget concerns. Then, in September, Y leaders began steering committee meetings with members of the North Metro community to talk about possibilities moving forward. According to committee members, those meetings are currently on-hold now that the city has ordered this study.
“The YMCA is kind of looking at what are the city’s next intentions, and will probably use the results of our study to help them form some sort of resolution on their end,” said City of Lino Lakes Community Development Director Michael Grochala, who is part of the steering committee.
The city of Lino Lakes owns the land the YMCA is located on, off Town Center Parkway next door to City Hall. As part of the agreement, the city is guaranteed a fitness center for its investment. The proposed amount the city will spend in 2021 (still not finalized) is more than $300,000.
In July, City Administrator Sarah Cotton said the city initially invested $2.4 million in the construction of the facility, and provided the utility and road infrastructure with the understanding that there would be a fitness facility on that site. She said if there’s no longer a fitness center on that site, the land would revert back to the city for use.
“We are disappointed,” said Cotton. “The residents of Lino Lakes are disappointed, and they’re expressing their concern about losing that amenity.”
Isaac Sports Group will study what it could take for the city to operate the facility on its own, or various combinations of vendors and groups–including the YMCA–operating portions of it to re-open it in some fashion for the community to use.
“Ultimately, we’re looking at how we can provide the best for the community at the lowest price,” said Grochala.
