Sartell Acquires Community Center Site Through Land Exchange

SARTELL -- A big piece in the construction of the proposed Sartell Community Center has been resolved.

During this (Monday) evening's city council meeting, the council approved a land swap agreement for the community center site.

In a closed session, the council agreed to acquire the Ferche Townsquare property, owned by Ferche Family Limited Partnership, in exchanged for some city owned property along Heritage Drive.

City Administrator Mary Degiovanni says the land swap method will help save the city money on the project in the long run.

"We tired to look at what sites we had available or could we acquire with a land swap so we wouldn't put another million-dollars into the community center. It just means we get to put more sales-tax money into the amenities and not the land," says Degiovanni.

The agreement states the city will swap the Heritage property and write off $301,000 in potential future assessments in exchange for the Ferche Townsquare property.

Degiovanni says the acquired site is valued at $600,000 which includes making the property build ready, and no additional funding would be need from the city for those improvements.

Back in August, the council approved constructing the community center next to Chateau Waters.

Plans have the $11.8 million-dollar facility including a senior center, learning and innovation center, multi-purpose rooms, three full size gymnasiums, a second floor walking track, locker rooms, and space for future growth.

Degiovanni says the council still need to approve the final bids, which should take place in the next few months. Construction on the 53,000 square-foot community center is still planned for this summer.