Awards of Excellence 2021, Park and Facility Category, Minnesota Recreation and Park Association (MRPA)
Features include two sheets of ice, a track, senior center, community rooms, turf field house, two new softball fields, pavilion, concessions building, and expanded parking.
One of the challenges the team faced was a cold winter with a lot of snow, preventing closing the roof over Arena 2, adding close to 20 working days to the original schedule. Through collaboration with subcontractors, the team revised the schedule and phasing plan to flow our workers on site. The team recovered all of the lost days and successfully turned over the project earlier than scheduled.
RJM worked diligently with 292 Design during the project on constructability and cost-effectiveness for proposed design changes. In addition, RJM provided construction recommendations that aided in the performance longevity of the building and exterior spaces.
The facility serves the entire community for a variety of purposes, from small potlucks, youth and adult athletics. to concerts with 1,600 people or more.
The Furniture and Things Community Event Center has become a beacon for our city meeting a myriad of needs for our region. The first year presented challenges with the pandemic, but we have witnessed many recreational opportunities brought forward enhancing quality of life for so many.