Education

DeLaSalle Athletic Expansion Takes Step Forward

VIDEO: Mary Tan reports.

Minneapolis (WCCO) ― It's not just the Twins, Vikings and Gophers -- there's another stadium debate going on in downtown Minneapolis.

DeLaSalle High School wants to build an athletic facility on public parkland behind school grounds on Nicollet Island. The private school hopes to lease the land from the Minneapolis Park Board.

At a meeting on Wednesday, the park board's planning committee agreed to let board members negotiate with DeLaSalle.

The meeting was packed, mostly with neighbors who live in the area. Some worry a new athletic complex wouldn't fit with the island's historic character.

"The major problem is what it does to the area all around us," said resident Phyllis Kahn. "This is a park that was designed to be a kind of passive recreation park. There are lots of runners, joggers, bicyclists."

"I like the idea of a football field here," said DeLaSalle supporter J.D. Pride. "I think the school here (provides) a great opportunity, as far as our kids go. They have a lot of minority kids here in the Catholic school (who) get educated great, and I think it's a shame they have to go to other schools in order to play football."

The school wants to build on a two-acre piece of property directly behind the school. The facility would be used for home games as well as gym classes.

"It just takes away from the spirit of the island," said resident Judy Richardson. "It's a natural place, kind of rural, and people really love that."

"That's not what it's about for me," said DeLaSalle Br. Michael Collins. "What it's about for me is educational opportunity. At the same time, it's about an agreement that was made almost 25 years ago now."

An agreement was made with the park board in 1983 that specifically states the school can build an outdoor recreational and athletic facility on the land, though the park board has the final say.

The school is proposing a joint public-private partnership to fund the project. When the school isn't using the field, it can be used for park activities.

"To me, it seems like poor public policy to take public land and give it to a private entity," said resident Roberta Swanson.

Even though the school has an agreement with the park board, the board actually has a final say.

The board plans to hold another public hearing on the issue next month.

DeLaSalle High School has been on the island since the early 1900s and is its longest standing resident.

(WCCO)