Two Brainerd area lawmakers are sponsoring companion bills that would provide $150,000 in funding for elevator at the Brainerd Area Civic Center.
Rep. John Ward, DFL-Baxter, and Sen. Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point, are sponsoring companion bills in their respective chambers that would authorize the sale and issuance of state bonds for an elevator.
On Tuesday, the House Jobs and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee held the bill over for possible recommendation to the House Capital Investment Committee.
Brainerd City Council President Bonnie Cumberland and Brainerd City Administrator Theresa Goble met Tuesday with lawmakers in St. Paul to discuss the issue.
The House bill, sponsored by Ward (House File 110) would appropriate $150,000 in bond proceeds for an elevator in the arena. A companion bill, (Senate File 127) sponsored by Ruud awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee.
The legislative measure could likely be part of a bonding bill if the Legislature passes one this session.
Ruud, chief author of the bill to fund a civic center elevator, said Wednesday this a maintenance issue and something that is required of the civic center by the Americans Disability Act. The Breezy Point legislator said this rises up to level of an issue that deserves state funding.
Although she sees the need for this legislation she said she would prefer that bonding bills be passed in alternate years, rather than every year.
“The arena is a great asset to our community; however, it is not fully handicap accessible,” Ward said in a statement released by the House’s Public Information Services.
An elevator would permit access to everyone to the second level of the Brainerd Area Civic Center where a heated viewing area and a concession stand are located.
Cumberland said in the statement released by the House that there are only stairs between the first and second levels of the arena that was built in the mid-1970s.
“Current accommodations being made include going to get a snack order for an arena guest from the concession area and/or carrying the guest up a flight of 18 stairs,” she said. “You can imagine this is not only dangerous for everyone involved, but certainly humiliating for the individual who needs to be carried or pulled up the stairs in a wheelchair.”
Goble said in the statement the arena, which is owned by the city but run by the Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association, provides an economic boost to the community because youth hockey-related events bring in an estimated 25,000 visitors a year and another 15,000 people attend dry floor events.
Cumberland said the city doesn’t have the necessary funds for the upgrade, in part because of a loss of Local Government Aid in recent years, making capital purchases very limited. She said increasing a tax levy to cover the cost would be “next to impossible.” However, she said the city feels a “moral responsibility” to ensure all guests have full access at the arena.
Comments (42)
Add comment$150,000?
I see the money tree still apparently grows in the winter. Seriously---- an elevator at the civic center?
Sounds like a democrat party thing
Woodn't it just be like the democrat party to spend taxpayer money on an elevator. Walk up the stairs, I say. That is the way god intended it!
SMTN
Aitken
Ruud, a Republican, is sponsoring a similar bill.
So how do you GOP posters feel about it?
Be honest now and tell us.
It is a handicap thing but
It is a handicap thing but where do you draw the line?
American Disabilities Act
This is not something Brainerd chooses to do it is something that they are being regulated to do. It is not like they are asking for money to expand or build new, they have to do this to bring a building built 40+ years ago to current code.
American Disabilities Act
This is not something Brainerd chooses to do it is something that they are being regulated to do. It is not like they are asking for money to expand or build new, they have to do this to bring a building built 40+ years ago to current code.
American Disabilities Act
This is not something Brainerd chooses to do it is something that they are being regulated to do. It is not like they are asking for money to expand or build new, they have to do this to bring a building built 40+ years ago to current code.
White elephant to community asset?
Not to long ago a frequent contributor, at the time, was preaching about this facility be such a money drain (white elephant) to the community. BAHA should be commended for taking on this white elephant and turning it into a community asset in short time.
Installing a elevator would enhance the facility by increasing its accessibility and remove one big road block to finally completing the Gold Medal Arena Project .
I hope others in St.Paul are paying attention to this lesson on working together for their community benefit.
Just tell them that
hein1ric and OFB don't want to attend there and the disabled aren't a factor!
That post was meant in jest
as a poke at Hein and OFB, please don't take it wrong.
elevator
Why not just install one of those chair rail lift things. Probably would cost half as much and serve the same purpose. Isn't America already fat enough without having an elevator to get up 10 feet?
Southie Spins It
Hey southie. Read my article yesterday and reread todays article. Ward is the chief author of this bill and he is in the House. Ruud is carrying it in the Senate. My advanced letter in yesterdays postings was accurate. Because Ward and his Puppeteer, Mikey O, at the dispatch, realized it would be a controversial issue, Mikey attached Ruuds name to it in todays headlines. If it doesn't get out of the house, it's dead. As long as Ward and O'Rourke continue to believe that the citizens are stupid and can't see through their smoke screen, we will continue to see this kind of pathetic journalism from the BDD.
Charlie, spin this:
Are you in denial? Ruud is sponsoring a similar bill. Sorry to burst your bubble about your favorite candidate, but she is leading the charge in the Senate. That is what you do when you support a bill.
So if you don't like it, take it up with her; sounds like you have access to her as a friend and supporter.
And some of your veteran friends would like to see every public building accessible. Do they deserve that?
SverreJohnson
You are quick to point out the Americans With Disabilities Act but you completly miss the point. The point is: Brainerd built this elephant. Brainerd should maintain it or shut it down. This is not the responsibility of the rest of the taxpayers of Minnesota to bring it up to date. Would you think the same way 10years from now if the mall of america was required to update their facility to meet federal requirements. Not on your tax dollar. Correct. I am a disabled veteran and would also have problems walking these stairs however, nothing says I have to go to hockey games. There are many other forms of entertainment available. How about building a concession stand on the lower level. It would be a lot cheaper. This whole thing is just a ploy for John Ward to improve his damaged reputation with the disabled people in his HD. Don't fall for it. PS: If you want to support the ADA, go to Baxter and fight for some handicapped parking in several of the businesses along the west side of Hwy 371.
Southie, What is Ward Hiding
Hey Southie, if this is not a ploy by Ward and O'Rourke, then why is there not a signature on the above article. Because O'Rourke and Ward wrote it. Give up. Ward is the biggest shiftiest scoundrel to ever hit the Brainerd area and the more I reveal that, the more you will have to counter in support of this critter. Keep your pen all inked up because I won't go away with my true facts until Ward is gone. If the Brainerd Lakes citizens only knew half of this shifty characters background, he would have never been elected in the first place. Wanna hear more on this character. Stay tuned.
Similar article by Mike Cook
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hinfo/sessiondaily.asp?storyid=3372
A companion, SF127, sponsored by Sen. Carrie Ruud (R-Breezy Point), awaits action by the Senate Finance Committee.
This makes sense
I am sure there are many opportunities--each of which would bring more people and their money into brainerd--that can't be scheduled at the civic center due to zero handicapped accommodations. Let alone the ability to get grants or many funding sources--quite a few of which will require ADA accessibility before offering money.
Charlie I really worry about you sometimes. You have to be related to our former governor with all the conspiracy theories you invent in your mind!
Check it out! $1200 and change
ameriglide.com sells a lift if you add another couple of thousand for a couple of wheelchairs at the top the civic center would be all set. I think even the city of brainerd could afford that.
Check it out! $1200 and change
ameriglide.com sells a lift if you add another couple of thousand for a couple of wheelchairs at the top the civic center would be all set. I think even the city of brainerd could afford that.
Proud Rino and other Libs.
You don't need to worry about me. You need to be concerned about yourself. Someday, some one will come up with a cure for brainwashed people and the Brainerd franchise will have more than enough customers to support it. They will probably start with not being able to see beyond your own nose. Watch for that cure and get your place in that line. In the meantime, don't worry about charlie. He can take care of himself.
Charlie M.
Charlie, these Flaming Democrats will never see the world as we see it. It sure is a complete pleasure to see how you have the total power to bring the Flamers out of the "closet" so to speak causing them to express themselves in their delusional thoughts and posting those delusional thoughts here. I want to thank you for your service to this Country and all you have given and still continue to give. I know it surely is disheartening for you to see this Country imploding upon itself. Keep up the spirit and your hard work, Myself and my Family are truly grateful for you and what you stand for.
A sincere THANK YOU
Missionary, a sincere thank you to you and your family for those kind words of support. I will continue to work for the best.
I admit that I haven't been
I admit that I haven't been in that building much and please correct me here but, to me the only reason to go upstairs is to get something to eat. I remember there were tables and chairs also.
I see why the ADA would demand that it be put in even though it probably is not necessary. The city of Branerd should pay for it, heck I bet Brainerd Public Utilities could donate that money.
Couldn't we just install a Trebuchet ?
For those unaquainted with the term, it was a medieval Siege Machine! Just chuck 'em up to the second floor!
Have we lost are problem solving ability
Put up a portable concession stand on the first floor
Just call Meshall Obama and tell her the
disabled want to eat junk food. She'll shut the whole place down! Only she can have a fat rear!!
Well some other lefters on here do too!
Carrying kids up those steps is work so,
It's possible that parents with young children will use the elevator more than any disabled person.
But Brainerd should be responsible for paying for it not the state or federal.
Every time I fell a little
Every time I fell a little homesick over Brainerd I look on the online forum of the Brainerd Dispatch and the homesick seems to fade. So glad I moved away. Picking on folks with disabilities is a new low for some of you. On second thought many of you probably sunk lower.
The elevator bill is a good
The elevator bill is a good example of bipartisanship.
I'm not surprised that Ward and Ruud would cross the party line barrier and do what's right for this state. Some others in the legislature should follow their example.
Did you bump your head
when you fell, Dud?