ARRIVING AT THE DROP DEAD DATE
FOR GROUNDBREAKING OF THE VICTORIA FIELD HOUSE 
In following the wishes of Victoria councilmembers and residents, Krause Anderson and RSP presented plans on April 11th for the Victoria Field House that include an elevated walking track, rather than a ground level track, and also a gymnasium. 
The changes led to a new look for the building, including the addition of a foyer from which visitors could easily find the gym on the right or the ice arena and track on the left.  Councilmembers voted 5-0 to approve the plans going out for bid with the gym being bid as an alternate, not a definite item, and also being bid as a shell, not totally completed.
Said the RSP architect, "We tried to make the building less warehouse-like by giving it a barrel vault as its signature feature."  The barrel vault will highlight the roof of the foyer connection between gym and arena, and also be featured on other aspects of the exterior.
Stated Councilmember Jerry Bohn, "The building is much more appealing now from Kochia."
Councilmember Gordon Simanton asked about size of proposed lockers for the building, citing that lockers at the Chaska Community Center are too small and there is no opportunity to enlarge their locker area.  The architect replied that the lockers at the Victoria Field House are designed with needs of the new gymnasium in mind and there is also opportunity for expansion of the area if needed.
Mayor Mary Meuwissen commented on the location of the field house as the city tries to retain the existing sport court at Diethelm Park, and emphasized that no decision has been made on retaining the sport court. 
"The architects are very concerned that working around the sport court is pushing everything into the wetlands," said the mayor.  "I think we need a build-ing official to analyze the sport court.  We want a design that accommodates future expansion.  There's never been an assess-ment done on that building.  Simultane-ously, we need to know exactly what it takes to make that sport court accessible for more programs, considering the fact that the preschool is using it, too."
Dave Hanson of Krause Anderson said he was concerned about continual change of plans of the field house and its location on the property.  "We want to get the footing and foundation package," he said.  "We need to get digging the first part of June to meet any type of skating contracts.  We have an opportunity now to take bids on the pre-cast and get a budget on everything else."
Mr. Hanson said that the sport court, working around it or moving it or getting rid of it, is going to affect dollars and bids.  He added, "We're getting to the drop dead date.  We need to stick with the plans and come in with a budget."
The project has not yet gone out for bids.

A "SENSITIVE" ISSUE
KIDS PLAYING IN NEIGHBORHOOD STREETS
"I'd like to bring up a sensitive is-sue," said Councilmember Richard Tieden on April 25th.  "I've received calls from neighbors at Wintergreen, calls about so many kids playing in the street.  Some people have to stop with their cars to let the kids move out of the way."
"I've also tried to back out of my driveway and there must have been 15 kids there," he said.  "Finally they saw my backup lights.  There seem to be so many unsupervised children.  I think it's dan-gerous and flat out irresponsible."
Richard also spoke of delivery trucks and children's safety.  "These are streets and not playgrounds.  I'd like to ask my fellow colleagues about their opinion on this problem."
Stated Councilmember Jerry Bohn, "Nobody's called me on this issue."  He said this could be a point in favor of 28 versus 32-foot streets because "wider streets mean faster  traffic."
Stated Councilmember Dave Lind-gren, "It depends where you live.  I'm on a busy street, but I haven't heard anything on this."
Stated Mayor Mary Meuwissen, "We are striving to have developers come in with sidewalks.  We have to make sure our developments have places for kids other than streets.  In addition, the trails connect the neighborhoods.  That's what I see that government can do."
Added the mayor, "In Deer Run they had a neighborhood group that met and policed the situation themselves.  You can also have a homeowners association put it on the agenda.  I don't think it's the place of government.  I wouldn't approach it as a city councilmember.  I'd approach it as a homeowner ... It's not my job up here to legislate that."
"But people are addressing me as a city councilmember," said Richard.
"But you don't govern that," replied the mayor."
Said Wintergreen parent Jim Rudd, "We are small communities where every-body knows everybody.  The exits of the trail system in our neighborhood go to a street.  Kids have to play in the streets because they'd have to cross a very busy road to get to a playground.  The trails don't access the closest park."
Said Wintergreen parent Jim Moss, "As a board member of the Wintergreen Homeowners Association, I've never received a call.  The kids congregate in the street because it's the safest environ-ment they have.  Our community is starv-ing for facilities."
Said Richard, "Kids should not play in the streets unsupervised."

Click here to continue April City Scoop.