Jun. 27—GRAND FORKS — Ground was broken on the $110 million Altru Sports Complex during a ceremony Friday morning.
The new indoor turf and aquatics complex is the result of several years of work by local sports organizations, the city, Grand Forks Park District, Altru Health System and other community partners. The facility is expected to be fully operational by the fall of 2027.
“I think this facility is much more than just sports. It’s a gathering place for the community and those that are here visiting us,” Grand Forks Mayor Brandon Bochenski said. “It’s a civic center for all and a symbol to the future of our community.”
The site is an infill development south of the Alerus Center on 42nd Street. The facility will be owned by the city and operated by the Grand Forks Park District.
The CEO of Altru Health System said the complex goes beyond just providing athletic facilities for Grand Forks.
Altru donated $10 million to the project.
“We saw a direct connection and corollary to our mission and we feel privileged to stand here today with you,” Altru CEO Todd Forkel said. “We also see it as a great energizer around workforce, recruitment and retention.”
Quality-of-life projects like the new sports complex are “differentiators when people make decisions about where to move,” he said.
When complete, the facility will have a 50-meter competition pool, a 25-yard instructional pool, full-sized indoor turf facilities, pickleball courts and an elevated walking track. The facility also will serve as a home for swim teams and clubs in Grand Forks.
Because bids for the project
have come in lower than expected,
the city has been able to pursue alternatives that previously were not considered core to the project, such as an elevated walking track.
The City Council approved the first bid package in May and is
reviewing the second bid package,
likely to make a decision in early July. With the savings from lower construction costs, the council is considering beginning design work for a future expansion of the facility with basketball and volleyball courts.
“The Altru Sports Complex is setting the stage to become a premier youth sporting destination where athletes and families can come together year-round, while elevating neighborhood sports and recreation for all ages,” said principal project architect Adam Davidson of JLG Architects. “When a community invests in youth sports, it’s investing in its future (by) helping kids stay active, engaged and connected.”
Progress on the facility took a big step forward in 2023, when Grand Forks residents approved an extension and modification of the 0.75% sales tax that funds capital improvements at the Alerus Center. Voters approved extending the tax past its 2029 sunset date and modifying the tax to allow it to be used for the construction of the Altru Sports Complex.
Later, in April 2024, the City Council approved hiring JLG Architects for the project and in June 2024, the council approved hiring McGough Construction and Construction Engineers as the project’s construction manager at risk.
“This project is a great example of what can happen when local government agencies work together for the betterment of the community,” Grand Forks Park District Executive Director George Hellyer said. “This isn’t just about building an indoor sports complex. It’s about creating a year-round space where people can come together to play, train and cheer each other on.”
City projections estimate the sales tax will bring in $12.6 million annually. When collected,
the funds are split between debt servicing for the Alerus Center and Altru Sports Comple
x, the capital improvement fund for the Alerus Center and the capital improvement fund for the Altru Sports Complex.
The city is expecting to borrow approximately $100 million to build the structure. Because the Alerus Center still has outstanding debt from its construction, the city has assumed a line of credit as interim financing that can be taken out as needed, saving on interest.
This interim financing will likely be refinanced into permanent bonding in 2027.
Additional funds are coming from city cash reserves in infrastructure funds for the site’s water and street needs, in addition to donations received from Altru, the Jim Fristad family, and J.R. Simplot.
When complete, the complex will transform the way people in Greater Grand Forks live, said Rich Slagle, McGough’s director of community development.
“If it’s anything like (the Fargo Sports Complex), this is going to be just something that years from now we’re going to say, ‘why didn’t we do this sooner?'” Slagle said.
“We will put this project on schedule and on budget. Mayor, you’ve got my word on it.”