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REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: Citizens speak up
Submitted by unsiez on May 11, 2007 - 3:09pm.
Reporter’s notebook: Two dozen speak up; most in support of keeping the Victoria Field House under city ownership
By Unsie Zuege
At Thursday night’s city council meeting, Victoria Councilor Rick Tieden summed up Tuesday’s town meeting by noting, “Government is for those who show up.” Tieden, Mayor Mary Hershberger Thun, and the other councilors expressed disappointment that more residents—especially those who are not in favor of keeping the Field House—did not attend and address the council.
The mayor and councilors agreed that while the majority of those in attendance Tuesday night were in favor of keeping the Field House, and that the city’s decision shouldn’t be based on only those citizens’ comments, they agreed, it’s hard not to keep these Field House advocates in mind when making their decision.
Mayor Mary Hershberger Thun said a number of people had contacted her in the weeks before the meeting, residents not in favor of keeping the Field House; but they didn’t attend the meeting. Councilor Kim Roden spoke at the end of the evening, reading from a prepared statement. It summed up the financial challenges facing the Field House. She also stated that she is seeking to find the “best and highest use” for the facility which might mean partnering with other entities, yet enable city residents to continue to use the facility, thus achieving a “win/win.” (See Councilor Roden’s statement elsewhere on www.victoriatownsquare.com)
After she spoke, no one came forward in response, to agree or to disagree. Only after the meeting did some residents approach Roden to provide feedback on her statement. These folks, unlike the majority that spoke publicly, oppose keeping the Field House. But, as they explained to Roden, they were afraid to speak up and alienate their friends and neighbors.
Councilor Tim Amundsen pointed out that those residents supporting the Field House took the time to show up and to speak up. He said he was impressed by the eloquence of those speakers. Prior to the Town Meeting, he was fairly certain of what should be done with the Field House, he said, but is now open to consider the alternatives.
According to City Administrator Dave Urbia, about 300 comment cards were turned into the city after Tuesday’s Town Hall meeting. The city is currently assembling all the comments and will make them available to the public on the city’s Website.
There were 24 speakers.
The following is representative of the speakers and what they said:
Dawn Peterson—She served on a couple different city park and recreation committees before the city disbanded the committee a couple years ago. One of the committee’s charges at that time was to assess the community’s needs. Residents wanted recreation services, they wanted fitness classes, and childcare. “This isn’t a time for could have, would have, should have,” Peterson said. “Instead the city needs to again assess and consider the residents needs and wants in deciding what to do (with the Field House).”
Linda Matthias—Matthias is a fitness instructor at the Field House and encourages the city to consider a name change from “Victoria Field House,” to something that more clearly indicates the other facilities within the building.
Heather Cole—She’s heard people call the Field House “Victoria’s Secret.” “It’s sad,” she said, “but true.” While Cole’s children attend Southwest Christian High School, she does not want the city to sell the building to the school. She sees it as an important city asset. “We can’t compete with Life Time Fitness, she said, but not everyone wants to go to a Life Time” She suggested hiring a key person to make the place work, by marketing better, by advertising.
Eric Kitt—He and his wife moved to Victoria two years ago. Until then his impression of Victoria was two bars and a golf course. The Field House is an asset for the community, he said. In a community of $400,000 to $600,000 homes, people won’t move here without those amenities.
Dave Barsness—Until Barsness had to rehabilitate his knee, he’d never stepped foot in the Field House. The fitness center is excellent and helped him improve his knee. “Fix the problem, not the blame,” he said. He suggested other uses for the facility including indoor golf and archery. He suggested the city call on the expertise of Deer Run’s Tom Abts and Cabin Fever’s Jeff Bern. The Field House needs “leadership, advertising, and marketing,” Barsness said.
Harry Gruening—He and his wife moved to Victoria in 2004. The Field House is a community asset, a low cost exercise facility. Talk of selling the Field House compromises their confidence in the city and won’t support a sale. The community is obligated to provide services, he said. “If they don’t pay for themselves…,” Gruening said, comparing the situation to other city services. “We don’t discuss disbanding the fire department because they’re losing money,” he said. “The community center should have a name change and should be kept open for the unique community we call Victoria.”
Mike Miles—“We all feel great about the Field House, but are you willing to pay for it?”
Judy Black—“There are ways to increase (Field House) income. Not all members of the community are into sports but into the arts. She suggested adding events like music and arts events, a horse event. We need a director, someone with vision…it’s not that hard. Just find that person. What is best for Victoria? Look at all the opportunities on how to do it.”
Peter Relick—“We may be moving out before we realize its full potential,” Relick said. He offered to speak to the directors of community centers in Eden Prairie and Lakeville, for their advise in how to better operate and market the facility.
Al Liestman—Selling it won’t solve the tax problem. The city should look at the facility as a long term asset with a ton of opportunity. “Sometimes it takes cash in to get more out,” he said.
Noelle Miller—The city should add a pool. She grew up in Edina where the outdoor pool which drew the children and parents of the community. “We could pick up and move to Waconia or a neighboring community for the same size house but with amenities like a community center,” she said. “I’m not a proponent of more taxes, but if that’s what it takes…”
Jena Holman— “I am an investor,” she said. “We need to invest in our children and our community. Please invest in a pool.” She also revealed that she is the director of a community center in a neighboring community. She said she knows the Field House can be run more successfully.
Craig Parsons—“I’d like to see the city have more pride in the Field House…we need a lead person to manage and advertise it.”
James Haugen—“The private sector is providing what you (the city) are providing. I am not interested in my taxes increasing to carry the burden of a facility that doesn’t have enough use,” he said. “I see a lot of passion in these folks but there’s not enough of them…I belong to Life Time. I don’t want to pay more indirectly in taxes.”
