What to do with the Victoria Field House?  The Victoria Field House has cost substantially more than expected when community leaders envisioned the facility several years ago. Here's a story that was on the Victoria Town Square page in the Chanhassen Villager this week. What thoughts do you have about the Field House financial history and what should be done with it now?

Seeking a deal that will benefit all

By Unsie Zuege

Most agree that the Victoria Field House has been a community asset. However, since opening in 2003, it has relied on funding transfers to stay open. According to Jylan Johnson, city finance director, the city transferred $1.9 million into the Field House operations between 2003 through 2006. In 2007, it is expected the city will transfer an additional $558,000 to the Field House.

The previous City Council was concerned about the Field House finances; the new council that took office in January made the Field House a top priority.

Mayor Mary Hershberger Thun wants to make sure that the focus remains on finding a solution for the Field House rather than pointing fingers to what did or did not happen in the past.

“The council that built the Field House made its decisions on information from Springsted, the MYHA, and other sources,” Thun said. “They believed the community could do it at that time. In no way do we want to take anything away from previous councils or to be critical. Each worked with the best knowledge they had at the time.”

When the city did a study earlier this year, it learned that if it did not want to raise taxes, it would have to find considerably more revenue.

“That’s true no matter who is managing it,” Thun said. “It is very difficult to make a facility like that competitive to other facilities that are surrounding us.  As we talked with experts at the University of Minnesota and others in the recreational facilities field, we’ve been continually told that without putting substantial money into the Field House, to make it a place where people want to go, the city will have to continue to transfer funds until 2032.”

Currently, the city has offers from Southwest Christian High School and District 112.

“The proposals differ in the amount of land they wish to purchase,” Thun said. “But both contemplate working with the city of Victoria to enable the citizens to continue to use the fitness facility, the gym and the ball fields.”

 There might be some point down the road where the purchaser might reassess its needs and ask for exclusive use, she said, “but both (Southwest and District 112) are committed to education and want to work positively with the community. Both have repeatedly stated they want to work closely with the city.”

 “We came in with an open slate,” Hershberger Thun said, describing the city’s approach in seeking offers. “We were open to a long-term lease, a management contract, or a sale. We were interested in offers that benefit both the interested party and the city.”

Thun said she and the council welcome public input. Call Mayor Thun at (952) 470-1212 or e-mail her at mlhthun@mchsi.com.