Tony Lopez

The committee meeting agenda includes the Pledge of Allegiance, a continued discussion on the North Dakota League of Cities Charitable Gaming Site Authorization Model Policy, the review of the draft 2027-2031 Capital Improvement Plan, the preparation calendar and premises for the 2027 budget, and committee referrals.

The committee meeting agenda included a call to order and the pledge of allegiance, followed by discussions regarding the NDLC Charitable Gaming Site Authorization Model Policy and various committee referrals.

The committee discussed the project budget and a presentation from JLG Architects regarding design scope and facility funding. Key topics included sales tax projections, the opportunity cost of previous project failures, and fundraising targets. There was significant deliberation concerning the project base budget of $23 million, specifically the trade-off between prioritizing a turf field versus an aquatics center, with committee members emphasizing the need for student and college benefits. The committee also evaluated the feasibility of hiring professional marketing and fundraising support for the campaign.

The committee convened to review items related to the proposed Wellness and Recreation Center, with the primary discussion referencing the City Council meeting minutes.

The committee discussed the need for professional guidance in marketing and fundraising efforts to ensure factual information reaches the public. Regarding budget and programming, the committee reviewed a presentation on facility design, ultimately deciding to include all previously studied programming despite potential budgetary constraints. A fundraising goal of $10 million was established, and the committee approved proceeding with a design concept that encompasses the full scope of programming, with an estimated cost of $30 million.