The grand opening of the Public Maintenance Facility held on July 31 had over 500 residents, neighbors, and guests touring the new facility.
Guests were treated to demonstrations and visited with the employees who operate the equipment on a daily basis. The new facility includes a 67,000 square foot addition, along with renovation of the current 20,000 square foot building. The facility has an expanded vehicle maintenance space, expanded vehicle storage areas allowing all parks/public works vehicles and equipment to be centrally housed indoors with drive-through capabilities It also has a room for salt brine production used during road maintenance, a wash bay for improved maintenance of city vehicles, replacement and expansion of the fuel storage tanks with pump and a canopy, and a well-defined yard storage area and composting site.
Children were able to climb on the equipment and ask questions, along with getting a hard hat with their names on the back. The Elk River Police Reserves assisted parents with Child ID fingerprinting services. Staff from Pinewood Golf Course, the Arena, and the Recreation department provided information and offered activities for visitors. Our Environmental Division provided educational pieces on recycling and composting, while Sherburne County educated the public on the Emerald Ash Borer.
There was entertainment by the very talented Benny James while people enjoyed hot dogs, chips, and cookies. Guests brought enough non-perishable food items for C.A.E.R. to fill five full bins!
The City of Elk River would like to thank the following sponsors for their support: Cub Foods, Von Hanson's Meats, Steve's Elk River Nursery, The Bank of Elk River, and the Elk River Police Department Reserves.