Construction is set to begin Thursday on a new sports center and commercial redevelopment project in Vadnais Heights.
The $26.9 million project includes a 100,000-square-foot ice arena, a 100,000-square-foot domed field, three new commercial buildings and renovation of an existing building to house restaurants, shops and other businesses.
Annual leases for ice and field rentals at the sports center will bring at least $2.3 million in revenue, said Mayor Susan Banovetz.
Community Facilities Partners will own the sports center and manage construction and operating expenses. The city, as "master leaseholder," will pay any short-term revenue shortfalls that occur.
Groundbreaking for the sports center begins at 4 p.m. Thursday at the southwest corner of Hwy. 61 and County Road E.
The sports center is scheduled to open Nov. 1. Commercial buildings will open over the next two years, the city said.
KEVIN GILES
