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Record of Proceedings

Rochester Park Board Meeting June 2, 2026: Awards, Curling Facility, and Park Projects

Boards and Commissions — Tuesday, June 2, 2026
BodyRochester, Minnesota
SessionBoards and Commissions
DateTuesday, June 2, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 54:50

Original source
Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it
0:19

The next item on our agenda is the rule call.

0:22

We'll start with you.

0:24

Martin Corneck, uh Ward 1.

0:27

Cindy Martin Point.

0:29

Mark Builderback Ward 4.

0:31

Mark, oh, I forgot.

0:32

I know yours on the city council.

0:34

It's hard to Paul Marino Ward 2.

0:39

I said wrong sentence.

0:45

Okay, thank you.

0:47

And you are very good at the larger than very long-term too.

0:53

Um actually is the approval of the minutes, so maybe uh maybe that the questions and changes with regard to the minutes like that.

1:03

Saying none.

1:06

So approving.

1:07

Move approval.

1:08

Mark is a second.

1:10

Becky, all papers say aye.

1:11

Aye.

1:11

I motion.

1:14

Next up our agenda is the order of the agenda.

1:17

We have a special guest tonight.

1:18

Um we have uh Michelle from the Michelle Snyder from the Minnesota Arts and Recreation Association here today to present the city work and award.

1:32

She's been here before.

1:33

So Michelle, do you want to go ahead?

1:36

Certainly.

1:41

President Newman and Commissioners.

1:43

Um my name is Michelle Snyder.

1:45

I work for Minnesota Recreation and Park Association, which is a nonprofit membership-based association representing the industry across the state.

1:54

We've got a competitive awards of excellence program, and it recognizes outstanding projects in different categories, and one including the parking facility.

2:37

So on behalf of our Minnesota Recreation and Park Association, I'd like to present you and your commission and your wonderful department, the MRK Award of Excellence for your soldiers field memorial park improvements project.

2:51

Well, thank you very much.

3:08

Okay, well here.

3:10

So unless there's any other requests to change the order of the agenda.

3:16

We move on to our open comment period.

3:20

Uh we always make some what the guidelines are for the open comment period.

3:24

It's limited to 20 minutes.

3:26

Speaker may speak up to two minutes until the 20 minutes period is exhausted.

3:30

Speakers may only speak one time uh per calendar run.

3:36

Items on the agenda for public hearing do not be discussed during open cabinet.

3:40

Matters currently under negotiation, limitation of later personnel will not be discussed in open account.

3:46

Uh with that, Kelly, I see we have three people on our list.

3:50

Okay, thank you for getting the list done.

3:53

Uh the first is Mike.

3:56

Uh Strong.

3:59

Yeah.

3:59

Okay.

4:01

You can be on the end of the report or along the line there anywhere you want.

4:06

Thank you.

4:06

Proceed whenever you're willing to go.

4:09

Yeah, so we can see about these things.

4:18

My name is Mike Eggers.

4:20

Uh I'm reading a letter on behalf of the Zumbo Valley Autobahn Society.

4:25

And this is a follow-on letter to our main five-letter rochester is growing rapidly, and the growth brings a real opportunity as new parks are built and expecting ones are upgraded.

4:36

We have chance of design with that wildlife habitat in mind.

4:39

We hope the board will take full advantage of this opportunity.

4:45

Uh need is urgent.

4:46

The Minnesota DNR reports 25 27% of our wildlife species face serious population trend.

4:54

Okay, so um I add to that.

5:01

And this data, I believe I hold from 2015.

5:04

So it's not going to be any better today.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Parks and Recreation█████████████████████████████████████████████45%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Sportsplex Discussion███████████11%
Environmental Protection████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis███████7%
Economic Development████4%
Transportation Safety███3%
Active Transportation██2%
Youth Programs██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Rochester Park Board Meeting

Date: June 2, 2026, 4:30 p.m.
Location: City Hall Conference Room 104, Rochester, MN
Board Present: All seven members (Chad Ramaker, Martin J Cormack, Mark Bilderback, Gary Neumann, Rebekah Kunz, Cynthia Morgan, Paul P Marino)

The Park Board met to consider a variety of items including an award for Soldiers Field Memorial Park, public comments on habitat and curling, approval of consent items (Rowing Club relocation, Skate Park expansion, Playground replacement), a proposed curling facility at Gamehaven Regional Park, and updates to city financial policies. All votes were unanimous.

Consent Calendar

  • Rochester Rowing Club at Cascade Lake: Authorized the club to temporarily relocate to Cascade Lake during the Silver Lake dredging project and to use two safety boats during rowing activities. (Approved with 8.A and 8.B in block vote)
  • Silver Lake Skate Park Expansion: Authorized a construction contract with California Skateparks for $996,400 for design and construction, contingent on finalization of the Outdoor Recreation Grant Program contract. (Approved with 8.A in block vote)
  • Cimarron Park Playground Equipment Replacement: Authorized a quote from Webber Recreation for full replacement of existing playground equipment. Commissioner Kunz pulled this item for discussion on equipment accuracy, benches, shade, and bike racks. After staff responses, the item was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mike Degerstrom (Zumbro Valley Audubon Society): Read a letter urging the board to incorporate dedicated natural areas with native plants in new and upgraded parks, citing that 25–27% of Minnesota wildlife species face serious population trends. He recommended habitat types (prairie, shaded understory, rain gardens, rocky areas) and educational signage. He expressed urgency for action.
  • Amy Eisinger (Rochester Curling Club member): Expressed strong support for a dedicated curling facility, highlighting the social benefits, inclusivity for all ages, and the club’s role in team-building for local employers like Mayo Clinic. She noted that current ice access limits growth.
  • Lisa Janke (Rochester Curling Club member): Shared a personal story about learning to curl and the value of the sport for community connection. She supported the proposal for a dedicated facility, noting that curling on hockey ice is not ideal.

Discussion Items

  • MRPA Award of Excellence for Soldiers Field Memorial Park: Michelle Snider from the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association presented the award. The board acknowledged and accepted it. (Moved to the start of the agenda by President Neumann.)
  • Parks and Recreation Department Monthly Reports: Reports for May 2026 were received and filed. Commissioner Cormack noted native habitat at McQuillan Park. Director Paul Widman reported that the future of Mayo Field will be discussed at the June 8 City Council study session, and invited the board to the Silver Lake Pool opening on June 4, 2026, at 11 a.m.
  • Monthly Bills and Financial Performance: Bills were approved unanimously. The financial report was received and filed; Director Widman noted that golf revenue is slightly behind due to weather, but it is early in the season.
  • Gamehaven Regional Park – Curling Facility: Staff (Mike Nigbur) introduced the proposal. Kaisey Ackerman, President of Rochester Curling Club, presented: the club has 150+ members, currently limited by shared ice at the Rec Center. The proposed facility is a 31,000 sq. ft., six-sheet dedicated curling facility at Gamehaven, estimated at $6.5 million. The club would lead fundraising; the city would provide a land lease and parking. USA Curling has offered a letter of intent to host a national event. Commissioners expressed strong support, with comments on accessibility (transit), winter activation, economic impact, and financial risk. Commissioner Paul Marino suggested requiring 80-85% of funds before construction. Staff noted that the agreement will return to the board for review. The board voted unanimously to direct staff to negotiate terms and conditions with the club.
  • Rochester Financial Policies Update: Director Widman and Mike Nigbur explained that the city-wide financial policies were updated to maintain accreditation. President Neumann highlighted the city’s AAA bond rating since the 1970s and strong audit history. The board authorized staff implementation upon City Council adoption.

Key Outcomes

  • Award Acknowledged: Accepted the MRPA Award of Excellence for Soldiers Field Memorial Park.
  • Reports Filed: Monthly reports and financial performance report received and filed.
  • Bills Approved: Monthly bills approved unanimously.
  • Consent Items Approved: 8.A (Rowing Club relocation), 8.B (Skate Park expansion), and 8.C (Cimarron Park playground replacement) were all approved.
  • Curling Facility Negotiations Authorized: Directed staff to negotiate terms and conditions with the Curling Club of Rochester for a facility at Gamehaven Regional Park. The agreement will return to the board for final approval.
  • Financial Policies Authorized: Staff implementation of updated city financial policies authorized.
  • Future Agenda Items: Discussed Bear Creek Park rink condition (staff will remove or relocate), pool pass sales (40 season passes sold), Lincolnshire Splash Pad issues (mechanical failure, now repaired), McQuillan Splash Pad delay (awaiting health department variance). The July 7, 2026 meeting date was confirmed.

Meeting Transcript

The next item on our agenda is the rule call. We'll start with you. Martin Corneck, uh Ward 1. Cindy Martin Point. Mark Builderback Ward 4. Mark, oh, I forgot. I know yours on the city council. It's hard to Paul Marino Ward 2. I said wrong sentence. Okay, thank you. And you are very good at the larger than very long-term too. Um actually is the approval of the minutes, so maybe uh maybe that the questions and changes with regard to the minutes like that. Saying none. So approving. Move approval. Mark is a second. Becky, all papers say aye. Aye. I motion. Next up our agenda is the order of the agenda. We have a special guest tonight. Um we have uh Michelle from the Michelle Snyder from the Minnesota Arts and Recreation Association here today to present the city work and award. She's been here before. So Michelle, do you want to go ahead? Certainly. President Newman and Commissioners. Um my name is Michelle Snyder. I work for Minnesota Recreation and Park Association, which is a nonprofit membership-based association representing the industry across the state. We've got a competitive awards of excellence program, and it recognizes outstanding projects in different categories, and one including the parking facility. So on behalf of our Minnesota Recreation and Park Association, I'd like to present you and your commission and your wonderful department, the MRK Award of Excellence for your soldiers field memorial park improvements project. Well, thank you very much. Okay, well here. So unless there's any other requests to change the order of the agenda. We move on to our open comment period. Uh we always make some what the guidelines are for the open comment period. It's limited to 20 minutes. Speaker may speak up to two minutes until the 20 minutes period is exhausted. Speakers may only speak one time uh per calendar run. Items on the agenda for public hearing do not be discussed during open cabinet. Matters currently under negotiation, limitation of later personnel will not be discussed in open account. Uh with that, Kelly, I see we have three people on our list. Okay, thank you for getting the list done. Uh the first is Mike. Uh Strong. Yeah. Okay. You can be on the end of the report or along the line there anywhere you want. Thank you. Proceed whenever you're willing to go. Yeah, so we can see about these things.

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