Shakopee Snapshot: Winter 2023-24

PARKS & RECREATION

The new building will be twice the square footage of the former concession stand, with Tommy’s Malt Shop open year-round inside

New play features, restaurant coming to SandVenture Project could open door to year-round fun on water and ice Exciting changes are on the horizon at SandVenture Aquatic Park, Shakopee’s beloved sand bottom pool jumping areas—one that is three feet off the water and one that is six feet off the water The large yellow waterslide and smaller plunge slides will remain a part of the pool

Construction began this fall and includes much-needed improvements, including the demolition of the existing changing facilities to make way for a new building, along with several new water features that will provide guests, and younger guests especially, with more opportunities for play Crews are constructing a fixed boardwalk that will span the width of the pool to separate the shallow end from the deeper water The board walk will act as a wall with a through-way to the deep end in the center “The boardwalk will be a nice way to make the pool safer for non swimmers and very young children,” said Planning and Development Director Michael Kerksi “Parents can sit on the boardwalk and dip their toes in the water while they watch their kids play” The shallow end of the pool will maintain its zero-depth entry with water depths reaching about two feet in the center of the pool near the boardwalk New water features like those seen at splash pads will be installed in the shallow end of the water to enhance the play experience, and a new jumping platform will be put in the deep end The platform will have two

If the project budget allows for it, Kerski hopes to include new play features in the sand near the shallow end, as well These would likely be water-centric play stations, but the details are yet to be deter mined at the time of this magazine’s publication Aside from the pool itself, SandVenture’s concession building will also be new and improved The former concession building has already been demolished to make way for a new year-round building that is twice the square footage of the old one Tommy’s Malt Shop, a restaurant from Chaska, has signed a letter of intent to open at SandVenture The restaurant would be open year-round The new building will also have spaces for changing clothes, lockers, bath rooms and a community room that can be used for parties and rentals With a year-round, heated facility in place, the ultimate goal is to open SandVenture in the winter for ice skating and other seasonal events

#AsktheCity

OUTDOOR ICE RINKS

Winter means it’s time to get back out on the ice! Shakopee has several outdoor rinks available to the public for use every winter The rinks are typically open by mid-December, but that is weather dependent Here’s what you need to know about using the outdoor rinks: Q: WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE OUTDOOR RINKS? A: Did you know:

Q: WHERE ARE THE OUTDOOR RINK LOCATIONS? A: The outdoor rinks are located here: ■ Green Meadows Park: 3100 Thrush St ■ Westminster Park: 801 Valley View Drive E ■ Southbridge Community Park: 7101 Southbridge Parkway ■ Lions Park: 1103 Adams St Q: IS THERE A COST TO USE THE OUTDOOR RINKS? A: The outdoor rinks are completely free to anyone and everyone to use! Just remember to bring your own skates Q: ARE THE OUTDOOR RINKS EVER CLOSED? A: The rinks will be closed if the temperature is below -10 degrees, or if the windchill is below -15 degrees

■ All outdoor rinks have warming houses except for Lions Park; warming house availability is dependent on staffing levels ■ Skate rentals are not available at outdoor rinks, so bring your own skates ■ Rink lights are available between 4 and 10 pm ■ Rink conditions are weather dependent Please be patient after a snowfall, as our crews need to prioritize snow removal For more information, visit www.ShakopeeMN.gov/outdoorskating

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