It has only been a few weeks since the 2024 election, but I want to start this column with a trip back to the 2023 election. In November of that year, Bloomington voters approved a new half-percent sales tax to provide $155 million for the enhancement and protection of the Nine Mile Creek corridor and Moir and Central parks, construction of a new community health and wellness center and renovations to the Bloomington Ice Garden. We’ve made a point to provide updates on these projects each month. So here’s the latest.
Bloomington Ice Garden
The Bloomington Ice Garden renovation began in November. Upgrades include reconfiguring Rink 3 to NHL size, improvements to ticketing, security, locker rooms, restrooms, concessions and offices, as well as mechanical, roofing and ADA accessibility upgrades. High school locker rooms, an indoor training area and a mural in the vestibule will also be added.
No interruptions to BIG operations are expected as a result of the renovation until mid-March 2025 when the facility is expected to close for construction through fall 2025.
Nine Mile Creek corridor and Moir/Central park renewal
The Nine Mile project team was busy offering a handful of public engagement events over the summer and into fall. You can see the concept plans for the project at bloomingtonforward.org/9mile. The City received a Regional Leaders and Innovators Award for this project from the Minneapolis Regional Chamber in October in the sustainability category for the planned restoration of Nine Mile Creek and prairie areas.
Community health and wellness center
HGA Architects and City staff are in the process of creating a draft design of the new community health and wellness center. The public is invited to review and comment on the draft design on Saturday, February 8, at the Indoor Market at Civic Plaza, 1800 West Old Shakopee Road. Learn more at bloomingtonforward.org/chwc.
