Belle Plaine for Youth and Families

Belle Plaine for Youth and Families Non-Profit group raising funds to build a Community Center

03/17/2026

I am certain about how to delete this page. The instructions make it sound as though my personal page would also be shut down. I can't have that happen!

So I'm posting here to say that this page is inactive til further notice.

03/11/2020

...

01/30/2018

Y'all probably know by now that the city is finally seriously considering building a community center. We have a chance for some input. The city is holding what they call a Community Center Kick-Off Meeting....

time & day... Tuesday February 13th at 6:00
location... Oak Crest Elementary School

There was a special notice sent out in the mail by the city. I expect y'all have all received one. The informal meeting will be a chance for us to ask questions and perhaps influence the plans. I'm gathering some thoughts that I want to bring up at the meeting. I'll list my first two thoughts below....

1. While I understand there may be a need for paid memberships, I would want to see some areas that are free to use. Especially for teens that are at loose ends. Some kind of gathering area that would be attractive to teens. And, on a similar note, I would like to figure out how to establish a fund for those that can't afford a membership, but would really need one.

2. I would like to see a theatre space. Intentionally designed as far as acoustics and comfortable audience space go.

I have a lot of thoughts on these two points. More than I can post right now. Y'all come to the meeting and give your two cents worth. That's what I'm gonna do. The good Lord willing! See y'all there!

05/28/2017

Now that the city is looking into creating a community center, we can use this site to update each other on news & info regarding their progress. And, perhaps make suggestions for the committee to consider. Hopefully this most recent attempt will be the one that does it!

08/03/2014

It's time to reboot this committee. I think a great way to begin would be to start brainstorming.

We need a community or youth center, and we CAN do it, but we've got to get past the intimidation factor, and the "no, it can't be done" factor. It certainly can and should be done. It's been done many times in many cities, large and small.

There are many myths regarding creating a community center. I think one of the biggest is that it has to cost a lot of money. Sure, if we tried to create one like Chaska's right away, it would cost. But, we can also start with one building. One space, and work from there.

Another hurdle involves raising money and becoming a non-profit committee. There are ways to jump start projects, with grants, or fund raisers, etc. And, while financing is important, there is also the nitty gritty of filling out application forms for grants, or jumping through the hoops to gain non-profit status...

So, I've thrown out some issues and thoughts. Now, let's storming our brains!

07/26/2014

Are you staying true to your dreams?

10/15/2012

I sent this message to Trisha Rosenfeld at the city, I have included her response below...

I am emailing to ask about progress regarding the city committee that was formed to look into a community center for Belle Plaine. I haven't heard really anything about the committee beyond the fact that it was formed. My committee, Belle Plaine for Youth & Families, a loosely formed group of interested citizens, would be interested to know how it's going. And, now with this wonderful new grant of $150,000 designed for this purpose "to be used for capital projects for the benefit of city residents as determined by the city" it is very exciting to consider that a community center would absolutely be for the benefit of city residents and therefore a great use of the money. There is a strong, very strong interest in having a community center in Belle Plaine. We would be interested in knowing how to go about encouraging the use of the $150,000 towards establishing a community center.

There are, of course, many excellent reasons to use that money for this purpose. But, there is one I would like to point out at this point. A community center would be a very tangible use for the money, as opposed to repairing infrastructure or other such reasonable, but invisible uses. This would go a long way towards boosting the morale of the city, as well as serve as an attraction for business and new residents.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my email. I look forward to hearing from you.

Karen Rainwater
Belle Plaine for Youth & Famlies

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ms. Rosenfeld's response.....

Thanks for the message Karen.
I will forward this on to the City Council, as they will be deciding what to use the money for.

The two councilmembers and I have met a couple of times. We have discussed how to plan and budget for the center. We will be meeting in the near future as well to continue discussions. As you know this is a very large endeavor that the Council would have to take on. It is a long term planning project that will involve community stakeholders in the future. We will make sure to keep your name on the list.

Enjoy your day, Trisha

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I believe there is a City Council meeting this evening. I haven't looked to see what the agenda is. I can't make it tonight, but, if any of y'all can make it, it might be a good time to put in your word for using that grant towards a community center. :)

10/15/2012

I sent this message to Trisha Rosenfeld at the city, I have included her response below...

I am emailing to ask about progress regarding the city committee that was formed to look into a community center for Belle Plaine. I haven't heard really anything about the committee beyond the fact that it was formed. My committee, Belle Plaine for Youth & Families, a loosely formed group of interested citizens, would be interested to know how it's going. And, now with this wonderful new grant of $150,000 designed for this purpose "to be used for capital projects for the benefit of city residents as determined by the city" it is very exciting to consider that a community center would absolutely be for the benefit of city residents and therefore a great use of the money. There is a strong, very strong interest in having a community center in Belle Plaine. We would be interested in knowing how to go about encouraging the use of the $150,000 towards establishing a community center.

There are, of course, many excellent reasons to use that money for this purpose. But, there is one I would like to point out at this point. A community center would be a very tangible use for the money, as opposed to repairing infrastructure or other such reasonable, but invisible uses. This would go a long way towards boosting the morale of the city, as well as serve as an attraction for business and new residents.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my email. I look forward to hearing from you.

Karen Rainwater
Belle Plaine for Youth & Famlies

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ms. Rosenfeld's response.....

Thanks for the message Karen.
I will forward this on to the City Council, as they will be deciding what to use the money for.

The two councilmembers and I have met a couple of times. We have discussed how to plan and budget for the center. We will be meeting in the near future as well to continue discussions. As you know this is a very large endeavor that the Council would have to take on. It is a long term planning project that will involve community stakeholders in the future. We will make sure to keep your name on the list.

Enjoy your day, Trisha

10/04/2012

Hello everyone and welcome. I know this page has been a bit dormant for a while. I have been distracted by life, but I do want to see if we can get back to work on the very important project of bringing a community center to Belle Plaine. At some point, in the past year I believe, a committee was formed by the city to look into the possibility of a community center. I sent an email to the city looking for an update from that committee. I will pass any information on, as soon as I receive it. Please let me know any thoughts y'all might have on how we can organize and make progress on a community center, and on other sorts of programs or facilities that would be beneficial to the youth, families and all citizens of Belle Plaine.

We want Belle Plaine to be very desirable for new citizens, and new businesses. A community center would be a huge plus along those lines.

I promise I won't be gone as long as I have been and we can all work together to have a lively and productive conversation here!

01/17/2012

Reminder! BPYF meeting tonight, 7:00, at the Belle Plaine Public Library. The library is closed at this time, so you need to come around to the back door to get to the meeting room. See y'all tonight!

01/10/2012

Hello everyone! I am so sorry, the meeting is NEXT Tuesday, NOT tonight!

NO MEETING TONIGHT!

the next meeting is

Tuesday January 17th at 7:00

Again I am so sorry!

I look forward to hearing from y'all through email.
Karen

01/10/2012

Hello and welcome to all that have joined us recently! We are gearing back up after a nice long Christmas & New Year's break. We have a meeting tomorrow night at 7:00 at the Belle Plaine Public Library. When you come you have to go to the back door, because the library is closed at that time.
We are currently working on providing community classes for kids 6th or 7th grade through 12th. We hope to provide a survey to give us an idea of what sort of classes would be interesting, as well as find individuals interested in teaching the classes.
If you have any questions, or would like to be added to the mailing list, you may email me at [email protected]
I look forward to seeing y'all tomorrow night!

Address

Belle Plaine, MN
56011

Telephone

+16127500000

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