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ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—AUGUSTXA'2024 4 <br /> Jim O'Keefe spoke about the Blaine National Sports center that brings in 5 million people a year. <br /> He stated this is an opportunity for Arden Hills and the surrounding communities to have similar <br /> recognition and economic impact. <br /> He stated they are passionate about the programming. The building is the shell that allows them to <br /> do things for veterans, for the disabled, for seniors as well as youth athletes. Whatever the <br /> community can envision in terms of programming, can be created there. <br /> He shared when you have a venue like this, it becomes a place that communities gather. He stood <br /> for questions. <br /> Councilmember Fabel asked if the individuals would have memberships, similar to a health <br /> club. <br /> Jim O'Keefe confirmed. There would be a fitness center. He noted the membership pricing is <br /> more accessible than what most health clubs charge. <br /> Councilmember Fabel asked how many acres they are looking at. <br /> Jim O'Keefe replied that the MTWC building would be about 5-6 acres under a roof. They <br /> believe they can put parking under the facility so there won't be a large parking area around the <br /> building. The design includes an attached hotel and a small orthopedics medical facility. The <br /> building itself doesn't generate a large return on investment. In a public/private partnership like <br /> this, the hotel and leased medical facility allows them, on the private side, to operate after the <br /> bond from the public side is done. There needs to be a couple different revenue streams for them <br /> to continue to maintain the building. He believes those three core buildings would need 10-15 <br /> acres. <br /> Councilmember Fabel asked who would own the building. <br /> Jim O'Keefe said MTWC would own it. <br /> Councilmember Holden stated that in essence they put no money into the building, itself. <br /> Jim O'Keefe stated they pay half. <br /> Councilmember Holden understands they facilitate the operations. She asked if the operations at <br /> their other facilities are meeting expectation. <br /> Jim O'Keefe replied that Sports Facilities Company completed the pro forma feasibility study. <br /> They run over 60 of these facilities around the country. They have never missed their pro forma <br /> numbers. <br /> Councilmember Holden asked what they did during COVID. <br /> Jim O'Keefe said in 2020, when COVID hit, they lost 43% of attendance. The following year, <br /> they rebounded to nearly the same level they were at prior to COVID. <br />