PROJECT TIMELINE
NEXT STEPS
Design Completion
November 2023
Construction Starts
Estimated Spring/Summer 2024
Construction Complete
Summer of 2025
WHERE WE’VE BEEN
MARCH 2023
The second City Council work session was held, which included representatives from the Foundation, the YMCA, the Advisory Board, and Fairmont Youth Hockey Association. The project timeline was reviewed and discussed as well as the proformas for both the YMCA and FYHA.
MARCH 2023
Contributions from The Pomerenke Family, Dan’s Appliance, Jay Maynard, and Profinium Bank were received.
FEBRUARY 2023
City Council passed a motion to reallocate a portion of the $14 million local option sales tax to go towards the ice arena mechanicals and design.
FEBRUARY 2023
Tegra, the City hired owners representative to manage the community center project, chose not to pursue a working relationship with the City.
JANUARY 2023
The Foundation officially launched a fundraising campaign for the YMCA Community Center, announcing four distinct giving campaigns including Community Builders, Community Champions, Heirloom Families and a Founders Fund.
JANUARY 2023
City Council passed a motion rescinding the November 2022 motion, and that $14million be directed towards the construction of a community center, contingent on the Foundation and Fairmont Youth Hockey Association agreeing to raise additional funding beyond what is provided by the state and city’s local option sales tax needed to maintain and operate the facility. A secondary motion was also passed directing staff to take a phased approach to the community center with the YMCA as phase 1 and the ice arena when funds are available.
DECEMBER 2022
City Council passed a motion to explore additional funding options, including new market tax credits state bonding, and a second local option sales tax to go towards a community enter/hockey arena to be built at the same time.
NOVEMBER 2022
City Council passed a motion to reallocate the previously committed $14 million local option sales tax, once committed to the YMCA Community Center, and directed it to purchase a new ice compressor up to $2 million dollars and the remainder of the $14 million to go towards lakes, parks, trails and other recreational amenities, including upgrades to the SMEC building for the purpose of a community center.
SEPTEMBER 2022
Bank Midwest pledges $500,000 towards the YMCA Community Center, bringing total private contributions to $5.5 million
APRIL 2022
Council approves to move forward with contract negotiations with 292 Design Group as Architect/Engineer and Kraus-Anderson as Construction Manager.
MARCH 2022
The YMCA entered into a consulting agreement with the Fairmont Area Community Center Foundation.
JANUARY 2022
Council approves a 2-step Owner’s Representative Contract with Tegra. Step one will work with a design team to develop a schedule and budget.
SEPTEMBER 2021
The Fairmont Area Community Center Foundation is formed.
AUGUST 2021
The Rosen Family, the Krahmer Family and Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont commit $4.5 million in funding.
JUNE 2021
The community center committee clarifies that the vision is for both the YMCA and FYHA to co-exist in one building. RFPs are initiated for updated numbers, final design, and construction plans.
MAY 2021
A City council work session was held to review the local option sales tax. Both the Fairmont Hockey Association and the Community Center committee were invited.
MARCH 2021
A city council work session reviewed work done to date, design/cost estimates of phase 1. The plan included expansion for ice in phase 2 contingent on finding additional funds.
JUNE 2020
YMCA pulled back from programming and the project was delayed due to COVID.
DECEMBER 2019
The City of Fairmont commits $14,000,000 to construction of the community center when the committee raises an additional $6,000,000 in pledges. The council also approved up to $50,000 for a YMCA operating budget for 2020. The committee presented a plan that included a pool, fieldhouse, meeting/classroom space and fitness area in phase 1. Phase 2, including ice, wasn’t included in the presentation.
FEBRUARY 2019
Entered into an agreement with the YMCA of Albert Lea and Worthington. The YMCA was authorized to research the current status of recreational programming in Fairmont and develop potential programming for the community center.
DECEMBER 2018
A public forum was held at the Fairmont Opera House.
SEPTEMBER 2018
A feasibility report was delivered. A discussion was held on a business plan, ownership, operations, construction and funding options.
FEBRUARY 2018
The community center committee hires a construction manager.
JANUARY 2018
The community center committee hires an architect/engineer.
OCTOBER 2017
$125,000 for a community center business plan was approved.
FEBRUARY 2017
The Fairmont Community Center Action Committee was formed to perform due diligence on the project. The city sent out letters to citizens interested in the project.
NOVEMBER 2016
The community voted on the local option sales tax for the purpose of funding recreational amenities, trails, and/or a Fairmont Community Center. Results: Yes: 3032 and No:1923
OCTOBER 2016
The City hired Bolton and Menk to complete a feasibility study for a Community Center. The study was then presented in October 2016 and Council made a motion to accept the community center feasibility study.
JUNE 2016
A feasibility study on a proposed Regional Wellness Center was authorized. A referendum during the 2016 General Election proposing a half-cent local option sales tax was also authorized.
