Next Steps
What Happens if the Referendum Passes?
If Richfield voters approve one, two or all three of the Our Legacy, Our Future projects this November, a local 0.5% sales tax would take effect in the spring of 2025. The local half-percent sales tax would expire within 20 years or when the costs of the approved projects, plus financing costs, have been collected — whichever comes first.
With local funding approved, the City of Richfield would move forward with community engagement and planning and design creation for the approved parks and recreation projects. Upgrades and construction would take place in a phased approach from 2025-2031 to allow some new amenities to be enjoyed while others are being planned or under construction.
Wood Lake Nature Center: The estimated project timeline for Wood Lake is 2025-2026.
Veteran’s Park: The estimated timeline for the various projects at Veterans Park is 2025-2028, starting with the highest priority—the pool liner—since it is already on borrowed time. The addition of the elevator in Rink#1 also needs urgent attention to make the facility ADA accessible. Bundling diverse improvements into phases will allow some amenities to be enjoyed while others are under construction.
Richfield Community Center: The anticipated goal is to begin engagement and planning work (similar to the process undertaken with Wood Lake Nature Center) for a new community center in 2026. This would be followed by the drafting of the plan, with construction beginning sometime in the next five to seven years.
According to a recent project estimate, if construction begins in 2030, the cost of a new community center building could reach $65 million. In addition to the $45 million from the sales tax to pay for this project, the city will pursue additional funding sources, including state bonding money, grants and sponsorships.
What if the Referendum Fails?
If the referendum fails, city leaders would reengage residents about whether they still want to move forward with an investment in the three project areas. However, future investments could be more modest in scale, spread over a longer period of time and likely cost more in the long run.
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Richfield Community Center
Chronic aging and structural issues will cost as much as $10 million to address, without providing the new, flexible spaces and amenities that residents say they want.
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Wood Lake Nature Center
Without a local funding match, the city will not be able to use $12 million in state bonding funds that were made available for the new building project.
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Veteran's Park
The city would need to find a way to raise $3.4 million to repair the pool liner and basin to avoid closure. Some trails throughout the park would be closed in the next few years due to safety concerns.
