Sauk Rapids-Rice School Construction On Track, Set to Open in 2027

(KNSI) – Work is well underway on the nearly $55 million in building projects Sauk Rapids-Rice voters approved last year, which include a new early education center and an outdoor activity complex at the high school.

Superintendent Bradley Bergstrom gave KNSI News an update on where things stand. “We are on track at this time. Of course, construction, there’s always rain and other things that tend to get in the way a little bit, but we are on track and we are on budget with both projects, which is always a good thing, right?”

Both facilities are scheduled to open in August of 2027. Dirt work began in May, the lights for the outdoor complex are already up, and crews laid the foundation for a new nine-lane track last week.

The city of Sauk Rapids is partnering on the site of the new Creekside Early Education Center, adding two gyms and a community space there. Bergstrom told KNSI that partnership will pay off for groups looking to host tournaments.

“The fact that you can have seven gyms within a parking lot of each other, rather than traveling all over the town to various gyms, it’s going to be an economic impact on our community as well.”

Bergstrom says the Minnesota State High School League has already signaled the complex will host events, and youth volleyball and basketball organizations have asked about bringing tournaments to town. The new track is also expected to draw true team and section meets.

He says parking won’t be a problem for those crowds. The high school already has about 900 parking stalls, Creekside adds about 200 more, and the baseball fields have roughly 240.

Voters approved both projects on February 11th, 2025. The $37.2 million question covers the 66,000-square-foot early education center in Mayhew Creek Park behind the high school, and the $17.7 million question pays for the outdoor complex, which includes two turf fields.

For students, the turf fields mean teams can get outside to practice earlier in the spring instead of waiting for grass to dry out. The band, dance team and physical education classes will also have a place to go besides the parking lot, and the track will be open for community walking.

The complex is part of a larger push around the high school campus. The district is building a new softball field, the city has built a four-field baseball complex nearby, and the two have teamed up on two new grass fields with improved drainage for soccer, lacrosse and football.

Drone video and photos of the construction are posted on the district’s One Storm One Future website.

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