DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) — A sports facility in Duluth is set to undergo major renovations, but before the work gets underway, residents are being given a chance to have their say.
Over the past few years, the Duluth Parks and Recreation Department has been working to reshape the local sports scene.
“Some of our partner communities are further along than we are,” said Jessica Peterson, manager of the City of Duluth Parks and Recreation Department.
To achieve its goal of revamping sport in Northland, the City has launched the Venues Reinvestment Initiative, which will guide investment of more than $30 million in spaces that attract sport tourism in the region, including indoor and outdoor spaces, as well as upgrades to existing facilities and plans for new opportunities.
“We’re already seeing a concentration of sporting events, activities and tournaments in places like Wade, Wheeler, Arlington and Jean Duluth,” Peterson said.
Ahead of the city breaking ground on a major project, Duluth residents were asked for their input on the future of the city’s athletic fields at a public input meeting Tuesday night.
“It’s tough competing for rink space,” said Daniel Abel, a member of Duluth’s Harbor City Roller Derby team.
Abel was among those attending the input session at the Portman Community Center. She said during the meeting that finding space for an ice rink in the winter is nearly impossible, especially for roller derby teams in the area.
“Right now, we practice on the basketball court at the Washington Center Gym in downtown Duluth, so we’re competing in basketball as well,” Abel said. “It would be great to have a place like a concrete rink for indoor hockey.”
Abel said she hopes the city will make more of the different types of venues available so her team and others have places to practice and play safely.
“It’s always a lot of fun just to play,” Abel said.
There are two more open houses open to the public.
Open House #2: Wednesday, Aug. 28, Duluth Public Library, 520 W. Superior Street (in the Green Room), 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.
Open House #3: Wednesday, August 28th, Morgan Park Community Center, 1242 88th Avenue W. 5 to 7 p.m.
Click here to download the Northern News Now app or the Northern News Now First Alert weather app.
Copyright 2024 Northern News Now. All rights reserved.
