On Tuesday, the Minnesota Senate Capital Investment Committee made a stop in St. Cloud as part of the second leg of its #MNfrastructure statewide bonding tour. The committee heard a presentation from local officials regarding their capital request for a planned expansion of the St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex.

“The St. Cloud Municipal Athletic Complex has been an important part of our region for more than four decades. In 2018, it is estimated that the MAC brought tens of thousands of visitors and $4.4 million to our community,” said Senator Jerry Relph (R-St. Cloud). “But in order to continue adequately serving our region, the facility needs to be updated. I’m proud to support the renovation and expansion of a true regional asset.”

The City of St. Cloud has requested $16.2 million in bonding to renovate and expand the Municipal Athletic Complex, which serves as the host for hundreds of youth, high school, and collegiate athletic events each year. Preliminary plans include an expansion of the ice arena, additional locker rooms, reconfiguring the lobbying and ticketing areas, additional seating, and a reconfiguration of the baseball turf to extend the season. The City hopes to complete the project by 2021.

“Bonding” refers to the process by which the state finances certain construction projects of local, regional, and statewide significance through the selling of bonds. Projects are only eligible for bonding if they are publicly owned and designated as infrastructure; bonding bills typically include projects requested by local governments, including colleges, universities, cities, counties, townships, and other public entities.

“This is obviously an important project for the greater St. Cloud community. I’m looking forward to working together during the next legislative session to get this across the finish line,” Senator Relph continued.

Senator Jerry Relph represents St. Cloud, Waite Park, St. Augusta, Haven Township, Minden Township, and St. Joseph Township in the Minnesota Senate.