$55M Rochester Mega-Dome Proposal Stalls at City Hall

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - It does not appear a so-called recreational Mega-Dome will be built as part of the new Regional Sports Complex in Rochester, at least for the time being.

City Council Signals Pause on Sportsplex Expansion

After receiving a presentation on potential funding sources for the estimated $55 million project, members of the Rochester City Council yesterday expressed an unwillingness to move forward. City Council President Randy Schubring, after hearing comments from other council members, stated, "We're kind of in a place where there's sports complex fatigue. I feel it from the community."

City of Rochester

Why Rochester's Mega-Dome Proposal Is on Hold

The proposal to construct a 200,000- to 250,000-square-foot, year-round dome had been considered as a way to meet the community's expressed need for additional indoor space for recreation and sports activities. After discussions with Rochester Community and Technical College will failed to produce a plan to accommodate those needs at the higher education campus, city staff developed concept plans for incorporating the Mega-Dome into what is now being referred to as the Sportsplex, which is currently under construction in southeast Rochester.

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The informal decision to halt work on the dome proposal followed a discussion of potential financing options. Most members of the City Council flatly rejected the idea of increasing property taxes, but there was interest in utilizing the existing city sales tax to fund future community projects.

City of Rochester

Rochester Leaders Seek More Public Input on Sports Projects

As a City of the First Class, Rochester has authority under state law to collect sales tax revenues for the full duration identified in the voter-approved referendum, even if the amount of money exceeds the total authorized through the referendum. City officials say the current sales tax forecast projects it will generate nearly $395 million before it expires after 24 years. The expenditures currently approved for sales tax funding total $241.5 million, leaving about $153 million available for "capital projects of regional significance."

READ MORE: Rochester Council Weighs Funding Options for Proposed Mega-Dome

While members of the City Council expressed interest in that option, the elected officials also said much more community engagement is needed to gauge public support for using the revenue source and determine what kinds of projects residents would like the city to pursue.