The Savage City Council voted Dec. 19 to move forward with the design of an indoor sports facility at Savage Community Park.

Tushie Montgomery was selected from a group of five architects that had submitted proposals for the project. The firm was the architect for the Holy Angels Star Dome, and has worked with City of Savage staff on various projects throughout the years.

Scheduled for completion by next fall, the 5,000 square foot indoor sports facility will be used by area youth athletic organizations from November through March. The facility would not be operated in the warmer months of the year, when practices can be held outside. Sports expected to be played in the air-supported structure include soccer, football, lacrosse, basketball, softball, baseball, track and volleyball. The facility will have restrooms, meeting space and a storage area.

The cost of the project is estimated to be $5 million, with funding to come from the sale of lease revenue bonds paid back over 15 years. The $500,000 annual bond payments would be made with rental fees paid by teams that use the facility. If revenues are insufficient to meet the bond payments, additional dollars could come from the City’s Park Reserve or General Fund.

The City of Savage has been studying the concept of an indoor air-supported sports facility since 2010, when members of the Burnsville Athletic Club proposed it to staff. Additional groups, including P.L.A.Y. and the Prior Lake Soccer Club, have since joined the effort to build an indoor sports facility in Savage.

The facility is being located on City-owned property north of Savage Community Park. The site was recommended by a task force commissioned to evaluate potential locations for the dome.

More information on the project