St. Cloud Council Approves Sales Tax Request for YMCA Outdoor Waterpark

(KNSI) — The St. Cloud City Council voted 5-2 Monday night to ask the Minnesota Legislature for permission to enact a quarter-cent sales tax to help fund an outdoor waterpark at the St. Cloud Area Family YMCA.

The proposed three-year sales tax would generate roughly $7 million for the project, the amount needed to start construction based on the latest estimates. The YMCA has already received around $11.8 million in pledges but needs additional funding to move forward.

Council Member Dave Masters, who called the motion, cited personal memories of growing up at the old pool at Eastman Park along the shores of Lake George, where he even worked as a lifeguard. “I have so many wonderful memories about the pool and learning to swim and outdoor swimming and all that has to offer. We didn’t have air conditioning back then. So I see the need to teach more young people today how to swim.” He’s a teacher now and says many students don’t know how to swim. “So by providing this service, providing this amenity to our city, we’re just going to enrich those memories for young people as well as old people.”

Masters emphasized that the facility would ultimately be owned by the city.

Developers envision a facility with multiple water slides, a lazy river and a zero-depth-entry pool designed for all ages and abilities. The facility would also include an entertainment area, shaded lounge spaces, concessions and supporting amenities to enhance comfort and make the park a destination for St. Cloud and the surrounding region.

The proposed sales tax would apply only to St. Cloud and would not include the other five area cities that are part of the already-established St. Cloud Area sales and use tax.

The council’s approval Monday night is only step one in a six-step process. Next, the resolution must be submitted to the Minnesota House and Senate Tax Committees. The city would then need legislative approval, must adopt a resolution accepting the new law, conduct a voter referendum, and receive residents’ approval. If all those steps are completed, the council could then pass an ordinance officially imposing the tax.

If approved at each stage, the question could appear on the November ballot in St. Cloud. Council Members Mark Johnson and Jeff Brodeen voted against the resolution.

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