Rochester moves forward with outdoor sports complex as indoor phase remains unfunded

ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Rochester City Council approved a bid totaling more than $53 million to Knutson Construction for phase one of the city’s new regional sports and recreation complex in a 5-2 vote Monday night.

The project will use voter-approved funds from the 2023 sales tax extension to develop a 160-acre site on the southeastern edge of the city. The $65 million allocated from the sales tax extension will fund phase one of the project, the outdoor facilities.

The latest outdoor project plans include a mix of eight turf and natural grass baseball fields, two rectangular multipurpose turf fields, 12 pickleball courts, an outdoor basketball court, concessions/restrooms, gathering areas, a playground, and bike trails connecting to the Willow Creek Trail. Additional features could be added or changed if extra funding becomes available during construction.

“There’s a lot of hard work done here. There’s a lot of people in the community excited about this project. Southeast Rochester needs something to activate that space. That’s a great spot for a facility like this, and I’m happy that we are going forward in that area with this,” Ward 4’s Andy Friederichs said.

Indoor phase funding remains uncertain

Funding for phase two of the project, which would include indoor facilities, has not been secured. After estimates for both indoor and outdoor facilities doubled in cost, approximately $60 million more is needed for the indoor phase.

City staff said they are currently talking with Rochester Community and Technical College to possibly provide the indoor facilities on its campus.

Ward 2’s Nick Miller and Ward 6’s Dan Doering were the two votes cast against the bid proposal. Doering made a motion to table the project and work toward a full project scope for the indoor phase with RCTC, but the motion did not receive a second from the council.

Mayor Kim Norton said if she could vote, she would have seconded Doering’s motion. Norton said she has been disappointed with the overall project outcome.

“We could have waited and prioritized the things the community wanted and expected, which were indoor facilities, rather than sinking $65 million, plus or minus, into an outdoor facility that is only available for use for limited times in good weather,” Norton said.

The city expects a phased opening starting spring of 2027, with full completion in spring of 2028.

After approving the bid proposal, the council also approved a five-year contract with a firm known as ‘Sports Academy’ to operate, manage, and market the facilities for future use.

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