FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Edina City Council Moves Forward on Braemer Winter Park Project

Tuesday night, May 17th, the Edina City Council unanimously approved the Parks Department staff request to begin the feasibility study for the financial feasibility and trail design for a snow tubing and cross country skiing operation at Braemar Park and approved the agreement with the SEH team to proceed with the financial feasibility study and trail design. This authorized $330,277 to be spent on the Braemar Park Winter Recreation Proposal. Morton Trails will arrive in town this weekend and begin trail design. There are still a number of unknowns and risks for this project and these will be addressed in the feasibility and design process. If all goes according to plan, the City Council will vote again on August 2nd to authorize construction bids for the project. If the study and design uncover problems, the project could get modified, delayed or cancelled. In the worst case scenario, over the next two months, Edina will have fabulous designs for 5km of cross country ski trails at Braemar with half of that detailed for made snow.

The ball is rolling with real money being spent to make this happen. There is strong support from the Park Board, the Parks Department, the City Council, and many other supporters in the city to advance winter recreation at Braemar!

Project Timeline:

• Park Board Review and Comment April 2016
• City Council Presentation May 2016
• Hire Design and Consulting Team May 2016
• Feasibility and Design May - June 2016
• City Council Feasibility Study Check In June 7, 2016
• Public Open House Late June 2016
• Park Board Review July12, 2016
• Complete Study July 25, 2016
• City Council Presentation/Bid Authorization Aug. 2, 2016
• Bid Project August 2016
• Bid Award Sept. 20, 2016
• Bond Sale December 2016 – January 2017
• Construction Winter 2016 – Fall 2017
• Open December 2017

For more information from May 17th meeting: http://edina.novusagenda.com/agendapublic/CoverSheet.aspx?ItemID=1381&MeetingID=54