Year in Review
2025 was a year of significant progress for Valley Community Center. We’ve taken critical steps towards making this shared vision that so many of you have contributed to come to fruition. Below is an overview of our year, and a look to our future. We would not be here without the support of our St. Croix Valley community, and we are so grateful for all of you. Thank you.
Spring
After conducting a year of community engagement and bringing together a board of local leaders, we conducted initial fundraising feasibility testing. We kicked off pre-development fundraising, which will support our communications, early real estate planning and design work and initiated exploring partnership with a long-term facility operator.
Summer
Efforts were enhanced with a generous grant from the Fred C. and Katherine B. Andersen Foundation. Valley Community Center Partners used this predevelopment grant to help us finalize site selection, continue partnership discussions, complete financial modeling, and begin capital campaign planning. We brought on additional fundraising and real-estate specialists to help shape the vision and take key steps toward siting, designing, funding and operating a facility that meets our community needs and desires.
Fall
With support from private donors and local foundations, Valley Community Center has identified a likely location for the future facility. You may have heard or seen in the news that Valley Community Center has selected the Lake Elmo Elementary site, at the intersection of Lake Elmo Ave N. and Stillwater Blvd. This site is the current home of the beloved Lake Elmo Elementary School, which is closing in May, 2026 after this current school year ends and is moving to a new building.
What has long been a hub for education could now evolve into a gathering space for health, wellness, and more.
Signing a purchase agreement is an important step, but it's only the beginning - we have lots more work to do. VCC will spend the next seven months conducting due diligence on the site, coordinating with city, county and state officials, and identifying additional funding necessary to complete this vision.
With a purchase price of $4.5 million we plan to move forward with the Lake Elmo Elementary site acquisition, and will be inviting more people to join in this effort including launching a capital campaign to raise the funds needed. Please stay tuned as we conduct additional studies to ensure that the vision many of you have helped create becomes a reality.
Winter
Looking ahead to 2026, our priorities include:
Growing our board to match emerging needs.
Investing in our systems and organizational readiness for our capital campaign ahead.
Developing a clear roadmap to construction, hoping to break ground in the next 2-3 years.
Valley Community Center Partners is advancing a community-led effort for an inclusive, accessible community recreation space that reflects our commitment to youth development, health and wellness. These are identified, clear priorities, and urgent needs for our region. Through our extensive data collection efforts and community engagement meetings, this is what we’ve heard from the community, and this is what motivates us. We are working hard to bring a new gathering place to the St. Croix Valley, a central location where the community can come together.
As you consider your year-end giving, please include the Valley Community Center Partners with a donation today. We are building for the future and need your support.
Collectively, we're going to have a tremendously important impact on the future of the St. Croix Valley. We’re thrilled for what’s ahead. Thank you for being part of this journey!
We have more to accomplish in 2026 and need your help, but we’re excited to celebrate the steps taken in the past year together.
Thank you.
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As always, thank you for your enthusiasm & support.
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