MAC Expansion - more details coming soon..

 

WHY IS THE MAC EXPANSION IMPORTANT?

Quality of life: the MAC has been an important part of countless people's lives in St. Cloud and the region for 46 years, and it remains a critical amenity for many youth and families. People have a choice in where they choose to live and, for many, access to a facility like the MAC is an important factor.

 

Economic Impact: The St Cloud Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau estimates $4.4 million of economic impact, including 17,600 hotel room nights, from the eleven tournaments that they assisted in 2018. In addition to the CVB-assisted tournaments, there were, in 2018, 12 additional tournaments or regional competitions, 11 hockey camps, and the 36 home games of the St. Cloud Rox of the Northwoods League. There were also 32 high school hockey games (3 schools); seven college hockey games, 45 high school baseball games (five schools), and 15 college baseball games. Those events estimate to increase the economic impact of The Mac to 8.8 million dollars.

Health and wellness of our community's youth: The MAC provides our community's youth the opportunity for healthy involvement in sport through the activities of schools and nonprofit organizations.

 

How was the project developed? In 2016, the administration conducted an internal review of the MAC, under the guidance of the River's Edge Convention Center Advisory Board, and presented the results to the City Council. The review included commissioned research conducted by St. Cloud State University's School of Public Affairs Research Institute. The City Planning Department conducted focus groups of MAC users. The review also drew on research done for the City's Comprehensive Plan Update; Parks and Recreation Master Plan, and the earlier research conducted as part of the Aquatic Center project.

 

What will the project include?

 

Arena Addition: a two-story 27,000 s.f. (total) addition that will include 5 new locker rooms, dry land training space, sports medicine area, office space, storage, and meeting room

West Lobby Addition: 9,500 s.f. addition that will expand the entry lobby, ticketing, business office, and restrooms

 

Refrigeration system replacement: the outdated R-22 system will be replaced with a modern ammonia system that is cheaper to operate and more environmentally-friendly.

Dick Putz Field replacement and artificial turf: the stadium was built in 1971 and no longer meets patron expectations or accessibility goals. Locker rooms, press box, concessions and restrooms will be to current standards and the new stadium will be designed to accommodate baseball and additional sports, such as soccer, lacrosse, and rugby.

 

Joe Faber Field upgrades: drainage issues will be addressed and artificial turf installed, and office space and storage added.

 

Mechanical and structural upgrades: the 33-year old roof will be replaced and mechanicals updated: dehumidification units, heating, sound systems, scoreboards, bleachers, ice surfacing, fire protection, and lighting.

What will the project cost?

Projected total cost is $24.3 million
Arena Addition: $7 million
West Lobby Addition: $2.8 million
Refrigeration: $1.1 million
Dick Putz field, including turf: $5.2 million
Joe Faber Field Upgrades, including artificial turf: $2 million
Mechanical and structural upgrades: $4.3 million Equipment and Garage: $1 million
Professional services, fees, etc.: $1 million


Why artificial turf?

Artificial turf fields are becoming the standard across the country.

Artificial turf allows a much longer season and greater dependability:

• Earlier start in the spring, later season end in the fall

• Rainouts are far less common because turf fields drain faster than grass fields

• There is no loss of use due to recovery time after heavy usage of a grass field.

• Artificial turf is cheaper to maintain, despite heavier use. We estimate savings of at least $15,500 per year in chemicals, fuel, equipment repair, and labor if both fields are turfed. Artificial turf fields can accommodate multiple sports. A re-built, turfed Putz Field could be used for soccer, lacrosse, rugby, flag football, and other sports.

• Increased revenue.

 

The MAC surveyed usage in seven other communities for baseball use in

the typical season of April through August:

• Grass fields averaged 119 uses (games or practices)

• Turf fields averaged 336 uses

• MAC fields in 2018 saw 140 and 143 uses which are above average for grass fields

• Non-baseball use will add even more rental revenue, but it is not included in the estimated projections

 

 

Upgrading this versatile athletics destination will serve Minnesotans for generations.

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