The transformation of Big Lake Township into a NATIONAL TOURIST ATTRACTION, with up to 150,000 racing fans showing up to our town of less than 20,000 people.
Imagine a stadium complex 20 TIMES THE SIZE OF THE METRODOME. Or as one city council representative stated, "bigger than the entire State Fair grounds."
On July 31, 2008 the following press report was released
(from http://www.intmotorsport.com/):
Minneapolis, MN (PRWeb) July 31, 2008 -- International Motorsports Entertainment and Development Corporation today announced that it has chosen a site for its state of the art mixed-use motorsports complex. Plans for the project to be situated on approximately 400 acres in Big Lake, MN include a 5/8 mile, high-banked paved oval, a one quarter mile drag strip, a three-eighths mile oval dirt track and a 100,000 square foot exhibition and convention center."
A mega-development on this scale, with the deafening levels of noise it produces, should be built far away from residents. Not this time.
Instead of building miles away from a community, IMEDC, the racetrack company, wants to build IN BIG LAKE TOWNSHIP! The proposed site is somewhere southeast of the intersection of Hwy 10 and 43. The proposed 31,500 parking stalls will be in front the 182nd Ave NW neighborhood. And to get an idea of how big 400 acres is, consider that the lake, Big Lake, is only 251 acres.
The preliminary plans are for 90,000 seats expandable to well over 150,000 if necessary. (The Metrodome maxes out at 60,000).
This means on a Friday night, the already bumper-to-bumper traffic heading up north would now include another 100,000 PEOPLE. Some will take the train, but at the proposed train ride ticket of at least $14 round trip per person from downtown Minneapolis, many families would likely drive instead.
10/22/08 - A presentation was given by IMEDC about the proposed racetrack.
The presentation was heavy on the entertainment factor and did not address the concerns that many citizens were there for. Not a good first step in public relations, but a very telling one that this corporation is focusing on bringing top-level car racing to Minnesota at any cost.
The presentation focused mainly on how popular racing is and why Minnesota needs a national level complex, not on why it is good for Big Lake Township.
Big Lake citizens, it's not too late. There are many hurdles to jump for this stadium to be completed. Our hope is the Township officers will protect the quality of life of its local residents and keep the project from moving forward, while discussing way to bring economic growth to Big Lake in ways that fit the size and well-being of the community.
The transformation of Big Lake from a small quiet town to the second biggest tourist attraction in the state, next to the Mall Of America, lies on the votes of the following individuals. Tell them to oppose any opportunity to start building the stadium.
BIG LAKE CITY COUNCIL:
Contact them through city hall at 763-263-2107
Chuck Heitz
Dick Backlund
Lori Kampa
Patricia May
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS:
For phone numbers, click here:
http://www.biglaketownship.com/gr.html
JAMES (Jim) SANFORD, CHAIRMAN
LARRY ALFORDS, VICE CHAIRMAN (Elk River Resident)
MICHAEL (Mike) HAYES
ROBERT (Bob) HOFER (Elk River Resident)
NORMAN (Norm) LESLIE
CONTACT NUMBERS:
Big Lake City Hall 763-263-2107
Township Office - 763-263-8111
WHAT ACTION CITIZENS CAN TAKE:
• Call City Officials and voice your opinion at the contact numbers listed above
• Attend Township Meetings. Visit www.biglaketownship.com and www.biglakemn.com for meeting dates.
• Contact the developer, International Motorsports Entertainment and Development
Corporation (IMEDC):
Phone - 763.785.8860
Email - info@intmotorsport.com
To join the mailing list of citizens against the stadium, please email jstahls@msn.com
This website was created by concerned citizens of Big Lake. Contact us at noracetrack@hotmail.com