Hearing Set For Bill Ending Rochester Sports Complex Funding

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - A bill that would strip funding for the new Regional Sports Complex being built in southeast Rochester will receive a hearing at the State Capitol on Wednesday.

Hearing Before House Taxes Committee

Democrat Rochester State Representative Kim Hicks says the legislation will be heard in the House Taxes Committee. Rochester State Representative Andy Smith, also a Democrat and co-authored the bill, is a member of the Taxes Committee. The bill was also authored by Rochester Democrat Representative Tina Liebling and Republican Representative Greg Davids, who is the chair of the Taxes Committee.

Voters Approved Sales Tax For Project

The measure would cancel the portion of the Rochester sales tax extension that was approved by voters in 2023 that directs $65 million funding to construct the sports complex. The sales tax extension, which was approved by 56% of voters, provides $65 million for the project. The remainder of the sales tax revenue is being directed toward an economic vitality fund, street repair, and flood control.

Multi-Sport Outdoor Complex

The multi-sport outdoor complex, which is being built near the Shoppes on Maine retail center, features eight baseball/softball diamonds and two rectangular multiuse sports fields. It also includes 12 pickleball courts, an outdoor basketball court, a central concessions and restrooms building, and other amenities.

Rochester Democrat Lawmakers Opposed

The Democratic lawmakers, when they announced the legislation to rescind the sales tax funding, argued that the plan “serves a narrow set of special interests and ignores the community’s need for indoor recreation space.” They also claim the public was deceived about the cost of building a complex featuring both indoor and outdoor facilities. Current city estimates indicate including an indoor facility would boost the overall price tag to more than $120 million.

READ MORE:  Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Pull Rochester Sports Complex Funding

Under the legislation that will be heard in the Taxes Committee, the portion of sales tax revenue used for the sports complex would end on June 30. Funds already collected from the tax would be allocated to the three other components listed in the sales tax referendum.

No Hearing Yet in the Minnesota Senate

Rochester Democrat State Senator Liz Boldon has authored a similar bill in the Minnesota Senate. It would also change the duration of the sales tax collection by lowering the total amount of revenue to $140 million and capping the duration of the extension at 20 years.

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The sales tax extension approved by voters in 2023 allowed for the tax to remain in place for 24 years or until it generated $205 million.

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