Title
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WITH THE CHESTER BOWL IMPROVEMENT CLUB FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF THE THOM STORM CHALET AND OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTER AT CHESTER PARK.
Body
CITY PROPOSAL:
WHEREAS, resolution 25-0082R authorized an operations and management agreement, City Contract No. 24926, with the Chester Bowl Improvement Club (Club) to provide outdoor recreation programming at Chester Park, including use and management of the Thom Storm Chalet and Outdoor Recreation Center (Center).
WHEREAS, the Club successfully raised funds to support a renovation of the Center that is at the end of its useful life to support expansion from a 3,330 square foot, 2-story building, to a 5,220 square foot, 3-story building that will accommodate increased programming benefiting the Duluth community.
WHEREAS, the City and Club collaboratively sought grant funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as authorized by resolution 24-0229R to support the renovation of the Center with the Club providing the local matching funds for the project.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the proper City officials are authorized to enter into the Development Agreement, substantially in the form attached as Exhibit 1, with the Club where funds received from the Club shall be deposited into 205-130-1220-4670-08-CM205-CHSTER-MMPIMP (Parks Fund, Community Resources, Parks Capital, Share of Improvements Others, Capital Maintenance Fund 205, Chester Park, Mini Master Plan Implementation).
FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Duluth City Council names the fiscal agent for this project as Josh Bailey, City of Duluth Interim Finance Director, 411 West First Street, Duluth, MN 55802.
Statement of Purpose
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: This resolution authorizes a development agreement with the Chester Bowl Improvement Club (Club) for reconstruction of the Thom Storm Chalet and Outdoor Recreation Center (Center). This development agreement describes the roles and responsibilities of the parties pertaining to the reconstruction project, including the transfer of funds raised by the Club to the City for implementation of this project.
The Chester Bowl Improvement Club (Club) operates at Chester Park under a management agreement with the City of Duluth, delivering outdoor recreation and educational programs for children, families, and underserved community members. Activities include ski and snowboard programs, summer day camps, community events, and youth leadership development. These summer programs serve as primary childcare for many low-income families in Duluth. Unfortunately, due to inadequate space, the Club must turn away dozens of families who need this service each year.
The Center is located within Chester Park and no longer meets community needs. The existing building is past its useful lifespan, and the demand for Club programming exceeds the building’s capacity. The City and Club have worked collaboratively to secure state grant funds in the amount of $2,312,000 from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizens Commission on Minnesota Resources, as authorized under a separate resolution, for which the Club’s fundraising is serving as the local match funding.
The City of Duluth will:
• continue to collaborate with the Club for final design and project implementation,
• manage awarded grant funds of $2,312,000 from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund,
• competitively bid the project,
• award the construction contract for the renovations,
• oversee project implementation,
• retain ownership of the facility.