Bonnie Carlson, Deer Run:  I'm in favor of saving the Field House.  This is like deja vu.  I also spoke on it back in 2001 or 2002.  This was a dream, part of a Master Plan for Park and Recreation in Victoria.  There was only one park at that time - Lions Park - and it barely had a bathroom. 
We've made a significant investment so far.  Opportunities don't come without challenges.  There are several reasons it hasn't been successful, including manage-ment and advertising.
We should not be baling out, but in-stead finding a way to fix it.  It's a leader-ship issue.  It's time to step up.  It needs to be a first class knowledgeable staff.  We should add things to this project.  The Master Plan talked about growing the project and even included the possibility of a community pool.  Let's get the job done.
Kitty Liebeg, Deer Run:  I've got two children at Chapel Hills Academy in Chanhassen.  We would like to see Southwest Christian High School in Vic-toria, but not at the expense of our Field House. 
Things were not done correctly ... We were users of the pole barn that was here before the Field House ... Referrals are the best way to get membership sales.  The Chaska Community Center has a person who functions in sales and marketing.  Lifetime Fitness has glitz and glamour, but the Victoria Field House has everything we need. 
I love that our son loves to come here.  There is a shortage of gyms avail-able in this area.  It can be rented at bar-gain prices.  I rented this place for my son's party and ordered pizza delivered.  It was great.
You can drive people and money back into this place.  We have this fabu-lous facility.  I'd like to see you put some-one in place to make this place work.  The staff here is wonderful but they're missing a key person.
Erik Kitt, Allegheny:  I've got two daughters ... Politics is about perception.  Let me tell you about my perception.  About ten years ago I thought Victoria was a nice place with two bars and a golf course.  But we came to see this would be a good place to raise a family.  The Field House was part of our decision.
The people buying houses here are having multiple children.  We will need this facility for the kids.  Are you going to grow it for the people who want to live here?
Dave Barsness, Deer Run:  This is a wonderful facility.  The exercise equipment is fantastic.  I haven't seen anything better.  Advertising is necessary.  Before my knee surgery, I didn't know this place existed. 
We've got Tom Abts and Jeff Byrne in Victoria, excellent successful business people who could give us advice.  They are two wonderful successes in the sports business - golf and Cabin Fever.  We should talk to them.  We need leadership, marketing, and advertising.
Gary Greening from Victoria Greens:  I'm relatively new in Victoria ... Can you imagine closing the Fire Department because it's costing us money?  There are services that have to be paid for.
Michael Miles, Parkside:  I've lived here since 1987 ... I'm not sure the economics have been laid out well this evening ... I'm all for the Field House but I'm not excited about paying an extra $184 a year in taxes.  The question is are you willing to pay for it.
Judy Black, Deer Run:  I'm very impressed with the speakers tonight ... It cost $7 million to build this place and it would probably cost $14 million today.  I think the Field House has been ignored.
Not all members of a community are into parks, but there's a lot of opportunity to bring arts here - a blues and jazz festi-val, horse shows ... We need a director, someone with vision.  It's not that hard.  I'm offering my services to help you find that person.  There is money to be pulled.  We shouldn't be worried about $184 a year on our taxes.
Peter Relick, Greenway on the Park.  I moved here about a year ago.  I read in the Gazette about the bond issue.  When Mary Thun was campaigning, we ended up talking and I became part of the Park and Recreation Board through that. 
Thank you, Council, for having this meeting.  The Field House is an asset but I'm worried about the debt service.  I know two people involved in Community Centers here in the Cities.  Marketing is a key component for a successful facility.
I suggest we not move too hastily.  It's too early to abandon this facility.  Victoria is growing.
Doris Adams, Victoria Greens:  My husband and I are well into our 70's.  Exercise is extremely important for us.  I'd like to make sure that elderly people get to use this facility.  It's a wonderful facility.
Kathy Rosamond, Windtree:  I've used this place three times - twice to vote and once to walk the track and I got very cold.  I think Southwest Christian is a wonderful school, and if it comes to selling this place I hope you look at Southwest.
Al Liestman, Deer Run:  I'm here to support keeping the Field House.  Selling this place isn't going to solve any tax issue.  There are plenty of other things going on that'll keep our taxes going. 
In my business (banking), I always ask, is this something I'd rather keep or turn it to somebody else?  I propose we look at the Field House as a long term asset.  We can't look back.  We need to look forward.
There is a ton of opportunity here.  I think it's ridiculous to sell an asset like this.  I'd like to see a plan to increase the revenue and the use.  Sometimes you need to put more cash into something in order to get more cash out of it.

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