ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – A change of plans for Rochester’s future sports complex came with a hefty price of more than $120 million. City leaders have planned to make up millions of dollars in funding, as the latest estimates for the future recreational facility came at nearly double its original cost.

In 2021, the city estimated it would need $65 million from taxpayers to build the new sports complex. That decision was made before Rochester voters approved the 2022 sales tax extension with 54% of voters’ approval.

The original plan was to build an outdoor recreational facility with some indoor components. However, in 2023, according to the city leaders, design plans changed to meet the community’s needs and instead build an indoor and outdoor recreation facility with estimated costs still projected at around $65 million.

In February, city council members approved a $5 million purchase for 160 acres of land for the proposed sports complex in southeast Rochester.

Mina Hanna was not pleased to hear new estimates came as high for the sports complex; he felt the facilities are a need for the community.

“It’s pretty upsetting that it’s double of the initial budget,” Hanna expressed. “But the idea of it is still a great idea. It’s always good to have an outdoor and indoor facility, especially for the youth. [That will] keep them out of trouble.”

Recreation and Sports Facilities Division Head Ben Boldt said design plans may have changed in 2023, but price estimates remained the same.

“[In 2023,] we did some additional community engagement, research, and information gathering,” Boldt said. “At that time, is when the scope showed both the indoor and outdoor components, and those estimates at that time were in that $65 [million] to $81 million range.”

However, Rochester City Council Member Shaun Palmer said he attended 25 presentations for the 2022 sales tax extension and said the 2023 estimated cost plans were never as low as $65 million.

“When we went out for the presentations, we showed an indoor and outdoor, but it was never just $65 million at that time. I think at that time it was $105 [million],” Palmer said.

Either way, the city has searched for a solution for the nearly $60 million problem at hand to build proposed basketball courts, a rock-climbing wall, and much more.

“We’re working on that right now and that extra $60 million is one of those numbers of [will it be] $60 million? What do we actually need to have in this building? What do you want to see?” Palmer stated.

Karen Squillace felt voters should have a say in what happens next if the city asks for more help from taxpayers.

“I think they should put it back out to the taxpayers, to see if they should keep moving forward. Let the taxpayers vote on it,” Squillace said.

Phase one of the sports complex is projected to begin in late 2025 using the $65 million allocated to the project from the 2022 sales tax extension. This part of the project is set to open in 2027 and only includes the construction of the outdoor facilities, as the city still needs to find more funding for the indoor half.

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