FAQ

  • A tremendous amount of predevelopment work has been accomplished by the VCC Board in the last two years including:

    • Testing of community needs through surveys, community meetings, and externally facilitated demographic and market analyses

    • Concept refinement through site visits of peer facilities and preliminary architectural work

    • Site analysis and preliminary testing/selection

    • More than 30 meetings with city council members, mayors, government officials, school district leaders, and county and state leaders to understand needs and maximize alignment with existing development priorities

    • Ongoing community engagement with a growing list of supporters

    • Organizational development, including board recruitment, preliminary staffing, and the integration of consultant expertise as appropriate

    • In addition to Ballard*King, we are collaborating with the following consultants on this initiative: Hamilton & Associates, Square Loop Planning, Wendy Holmes Consulting and Bigger Picture Solutions.

  • The Valley Community Center hopes to break ground in the next two years. Learn more about our plans here.

  • We are currently evaluating potential site options in the central St. Croix River Valley.

    A central location will serve the diverse population of eastern Washington County and the St. Croix Valley region.

    Within a 15-minute drive of our anticipated location, there are 63,273 households and a population of 179,909.

  • Join our volunteer committee! We always need volunteers to help spread the word and help our team make this vision a reality. We’re also looking for board members with fundraising and marketing expertise. 

    Contact us for opportunities.

  • We are looking at all funding options and opportunities. Our goal is to find a solution that does not increase taxes, but provides the community with this vital service.

    Formalizing our capital and operating partnerships with municipal and other governmental partners is our next step, and we have engaged Hamilton & Associates for our campaign feasibility study.

  • According to Washington County’s Community Needs Status Report (2024), 34% of respondents had not engaged in exercise in 30 days. Physical activity was identified as one of five high-priority needs in the Community Health Needs Assessment conducted by HealthPartners.

    As cited in the 2025 Lakeview Hospital Implementation Plan to address this finding, access to physical activity spaces will improve mental health and well-being of youth and families by providing whole-person wellness in a community model.

    To envision the right community center for the St. Croix Valley, the VCC has combined extensive third-party market and demographic analysis coupled with stakeholder meetings, surveys, and numerous well-attended community engagement activities.  Our research has identified:

    • High demand for accessible indoor recreational activities, aquatic center, and fitness opportunities.

    • The desire for a centralized gathering spot for people of all ages & abilities to connect.

    • An absence of affordable, accessible community facilities for underserved populations, including seniors and lower-income families. 

Spread the Word

Be sure to like and follow @valleycommunitycentermn on Facebook and Instagram. πŸ’› Stay updated on plans for Valley Community Center.

Feel free to share with your friends. Thank you for your enthusiasm & support. #valleycommunitycentermn

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Programs & Amenities

Valley Community Center will offer diverse programs and amenities for individuals of all ages and abilities. We are programming facility components based on what our stakeholders, partners, and the community feel are important to prioritize.

Amenities being considered are largely based on the 2023 results from the community feedback surveys which were sent to our entire primary service area: ISD 834. Programmed elements are not considered final. Learn more about our key findings here.