Winona City Council Moves Forward on Public Safety/Community Center at East End Rec

The Winona City Council meeting held on Nov. 1

WINONA, Minn. (KWNO)-The Winona City Council voted unanimously to continue consideration of developing a public safety and community center in the area of the East End Rec. Center (ERC).  

Earlier this month council members were shown a design that would move the ERC and Friendship Center into the soon-to-be empty St. Stans Elementary School. A joint police/fire station would take the place of the current ERC.  

Council members heard statements from police, fire, friendship center and recreation leaders about the issues with their current facilities. While supporting moving forward, Councilwoman Eileen Moeller raised concerns over the police station being close to a community center.  

“I’m really uncomfortable with the idea of having a place where we are bringing in…the chief mentioned the current lobby area of the police station you possibly have offenders coming into the lobby on victims and things like that,” Moeller said.

Moeller acknowledged the need for the Friendship Center and police and fire departments to have updated facilities. She said she’s supportive of adding the fire station to the neighborhood.  

“We’re not taking prisoners at that station,” At-Large Councilman Aaron Repinski responded. “I want the public to understand that that’s not the jail.”  

The proposal reduces outdoor space at the ERC. Park Rec officials proposed spreading the lost green space out to other parks throughout the east end.  

“It’s potentially the largest project ever in the history of the city of Winona. It’s a contentious issue and is not taken lightly by the people sitting at this table,” Sherman said.  

The next step will be authorizing a plan to gather public input. The council is expected to vote on the public comment plan at its next meeting.  

Down the road city officials say they need to begin discussing the St. Stand property with the parish and diocese. They also need to explore options to garner potential state and federal funding for the at least $38 million project.