FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 9, 2024
CONTACT:
Liz Carey-Linskey
liz.carey-linskey@ci.stpaul.mn.us
612-900-5307 (c)
***ADVISORY*** ***ADVISORY*** ***ADVISORY***
City of Saint Paul and Community Partners to Celebrate the Completion of New Turf Field Using Funds from 1% Sales Tax
The latest renovated amenity in Saint Paul is made possible through Saint Paul’s strategy to fund city improvements with the “Common Cent” program.
WHAT: The City of Saint Paul and community partners will celebrate the opening of a new multi-sport turf field tomorrow, Wed., July 10 at 5:00 p.m. at Jimmy Lee/Oxford Community Center. Mayor Melvin Carter, and Parks and Recreation Director Andy Rodriguez will join community members in a short program and celebratory ribbon cutting. The recreation center is hosting a family game time event in conjunction with the program to include free food and games on the new field from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.
The "Common Cent" is a voter-approved, one-cent increase in the local sales tax and is estimated to collect $1 billion over 20 years, with funds being invested into improvements to the city's regionally significant roads and nationally acclaimed parks and recreation facilities. The one-cent increase to the local sales tax was implemented April 1, 2024. About $738 million is allocated for street improvements and about $246 million is allocated for parks and recreation facilities improvements.
"We passed the 'Common Cent' and immediately put the funds to use fixing our roads and parks," said Mayor Carter. "The new turf at Jimmy Lee Recreation Center represents an important milestone, kicking off two decades of generational investments."
The 112,000 square foot multi-sports field will be able to host seven different sports, including football, soccer (three different sizes), baseball, little league, and softball. The field lines are about 1 mile long when combined.
More details on the Common Cent program can be found at www.stpaul.gov/salestax.
WHO: The following people will make remarks:
-Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter
-Andy Rodriguez, Director of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation
WHEN: Wednesday, July 10, 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.
*Program will begin at 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Jimmy Lee/Oxford Community Center, 270 Lexington Pkwy N, Saint Paul, 55104. The event will take place outside. In the event of severe weather, an update will be provided.
About Saint Paul Parks and Recreation
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation is a nationally accredited and gold medal award-winning organization that manages 184 parks and open spaces, AZA-accredited Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, 26 city-operated recreation centers, more than 120 miles of trails, an indoor and two outdoor aquatic facilities, a public beach, a variety of premium sports facilities, municipal golf courses, and Great River Passage – which is the new identity for all proposed public development along Saint Paul’s more than 17 miles of Mississippi riverfront. For more information about Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, visit www.stpaul.gov/parks.
###