GRAND OPENING FOR VICTORIA FIELD HOUSE
SATURDAY, MARCH 15TH, 12 NOON TO 4 P.M.
Grand Opening for the Victoria Field House, including ice arena, walking track, workout rooms, office space, and gymnasium, has been scheduled for Saturday, March 15th, from 12 noon to 4 p.m.  There will be demonstrations, enter-tainment, complimentary admission, com-plimentary open skate, and food. 
The Victoria Field House is available for complimentary use to Victoria resi-dents from February 10th to March 2nd.  The following facilities will be included:  walking track, fitness room, ice arena, and gymnasium.  Times available for the ice arena are Saturdays from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and Sundays  from 1:15 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.  The gymnasium will not be available Sundays  from 1 to 6 p.m.
All residents must show a valid pic-ture ID with current Victoria address for free use upon each visit.  Various pack-ages and passes are available for residents and non-residents.
A job fair was held February 1st and 4th, and will continue on Saturday, Febru-ary 8th, from 2 to 6 p.m.  Part time positions are available for day, evening, and weekend shifts.  Apply and interview at the Victoria Field House.   Wages will range from $8 to $11 an hour.

FREE WALKING TRACK FOR VICTORIA RESIDENTS
AND FREE OPEN GYMN TIME AT FIELD HOUSE
Council voted on January 9th to allow Victoria residents free access to the walking track and gymnasium during open gym time at the Victoria Field House.  City staff will be presenting op-tions for residential and non-residential fees for the various facility uses.  Special rates will be considered for citizens age 60 and older.
Said Tammy Abrahamson, Victoria Park & Rec Director, "I'm receiving sev-eral calls per day about membership.  I would like to get information out as soon as possible.  I researched ten other com-munities, but it's difficult because the facilities vary in amenities."
In the options she presented, there were charges to use the walking track.  Stated Councilmember Dave Lindgren, "I understood from Day One that the walk-ing track would be free to all residents.  If you charge now, I'd be run out of town."
Agreed Administrator Steve Sarvi, "We always said the walking track is free and also free open gym time."
"I think we'd be doing ourselves a disservice by not charging ... I legislate for some type of fee.  It's such a nominal fee for almost anyone," said Councilmem-ber Mary Thun.
Stated Councilmember Terry Bishop,  "I think the council's credibility comes into play.  I'd respectfully disagree."
Added Councilmember Richard Tieden, "We've agreed on not just a token amount, but a significant amount of time for every child in this community, regard-less of what's going on at any other com-munity.  I agree with Dave.  This is part of our park.  I understood that skating would have to be paid for ... And it was never going to be free to people outside the city."
Tammy stated that nonresidents are "definitely interested."
Richard also suggested a senior dis-count starting at age 65.  Replied Dave, "I have two problems with that.  One is that I'm not 65."

The motion approving free walking track and open gym time for Victoria resi-dents passed 4-1, with Mary Thun casting the nay vote.  Other fees and packages were approved.

TWO NEW PLANNING COMMISSIONERS
GORDON SIMANTON AND TOM VOGT
On January 9th Gordon Simanton and Tom Vogt were appointed to the Victoria Planning Commission, replacing Gary Delaney, recently elected to the Carver County Commissioner Board, and Marian Carpenter, who did not seek reappoint-ment. 

Mayor Jerry Bohn reminded people, "These committees are meant to help us and help take some of the load off.  A couple years ago we asked that a Planning Commission member try to attend our council meetings.  We've got a much stronger Planning Commission now than five years ago."
During the interview process, Gordon Simanton reminded councilmembers that, prior to his recent 10-month tenure on the Victoria City Council, he served on the Planning Commission since 1998.  He was involved with the East Side Develop-ment and acquisition of Holy Family Catholic High School.
He said this his time on the council provided him with many budget details that will enable him to "take the Planning Commission to another level and it can become more of an integral part and have a little bigger impact."
Gordon pointed out that 88% of what the Planning Commission recommended was approved by the Council.  "That's a pretty good track record," he stated.
Tom Vogt said he moved into the Victoria community five months ago, having served three years on the city council at Loretto, a small "landlocked" community.
"We stuck our necks out on a master plan there," said Mr. Vogt.  "It's a small downtown area and we finally embarked on something.  We zeroed in on some railroad property and cleaned it up.  I'd like to do something here.  I'm interested in this rather than serving soup in some kitchen.  There's a lot of movement anticipated for the downtown here.  We like what's happening in Victoria ... I've been in the corporate world for 30 years."
Asked Councilmember Mary Thun, "How did you deal in Loretto with the people of the town who didn't want the change?"
Replied Mr. Vogt, "Delicately and diplomatically, with open dialogue and town hall meetings.  Slowly things came around, but not perfectly."
He said the Planning Commission "looks to the council and mayor to set direction, and give them a very good opinion of what's going on, versus being a strategic group.  It's a group of people that does some of the leg work."
Gordon was appointed to the 4-year term, Tom Vogt to the 2-year term.  Other PC members include Kimberly Roden, Jim Heitmann, and Bud Hiivala.  Thomas O'Connor had also applied for appointment.

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