Joe Perske, former mayor of Sartell
As plans for the Sartell Community Center continue to appear before the Sartell City Council, the missed opportunity for a central location is becoming obvious. While the land has not yet been purchased and the shovels have not turned the soil on the looming $11-million community tragedy, I urge the council to revisit other options, ones that can be embraced by everybody and make sense for future development.
Since the council selected the south location months ago, residents have been shaking their heads wondering why. Why build our community center on the far fringe of the city only blocks from St. Cloud? Why build it in the St. Cloud School District? Why are we not respecting the voter wishes from the city sales-tax vote? Why did we not have open public hearings to discuss the facility and the location? Why did we not try to work together with the Sartell School District? Why build it in a location unacceptable to the Great River Regional Library system? Why is it not in a central location where a great many residents can walk or bike to the site? Why would an anonymous group pay for an advertisement misleading the public about the community center?
It’s not too late for a change. The basic plan and concept is quite good. Switching the site to a central location can improve the facility and its operations. A central location would give easy access by schools and churches for activities. A Great River Regional Library branch could become part of it, and Sartell would no longer be the largest city in outstate Minnesota without a library. Partnerships with Sartell Community Education and the summer recreation programs could be enhanced. The Senior Connection, youth basketball and volleyball, the American Legion veterans and other community groups would also benefit from a central site.
I urge the Sartell council to revisit the regrettable site chosen for the community center, now. Otherwise, the Sartell residents will continue to shake their heads in dismay for many years and keep wondering why did the council make such a decision?