Mayor Sherman: City Looking to Add to East End Rec

Winona City Council meeting on 11-15-21

WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-Winona City leaders are awaiting a design concept that will show if it’s feasible to combine the East End Rec. Center with a potential public safety building.  

“We’re not looking to eliminate East End Rec.,” Mayor Scott Sherman said on KWNO’s In the Know Monday. “If anything, we’re looking to add to it and make it a larger facility.”  

Earlier this month the council voted to authorize consulting group BKV to study if the two facilities could co-exist on the east end property. Sherman said combining a facility for public safety and community activities opens state and federal funding opportunities. 

“A lot of times when you combine facilities like this the funding sources are more readily available. If you’re just doing the community center project there isn’t a whole lot of funding in there that wouldn’t fall back on the local taxpayers,” said Sherman.  

Sherman said the city has a long list of infrastructure needs. He says a community and public safety center would have the highest price tag of any potential project.