Rochester nonprofit to build fully-accessible indoor park

A Rochester nonprofit serving people with disabilities throughout southeast Minnesota is close to breaking ground on the region’s first fully-accessible indoor recreation center.

Southeastern Minnesota Center For Independent Living, Inc. plans to build a nearly 40,000-square-foot indoor park just west of West Circle Drive, at the intersection of Badger Hill Drive NW and Superior Drive NW.

The organization, SEMCIL for short, purchased the 3.8-acre property earlier this year for $1.1 million. Altogether, the project is expected to cost $9.7 million, according to a building permit filed with the city.

Once completed, the facility will include a basketball court, indoor field for sports like soccer and football, and a playground equipped with a ramp structure that will allow for easy access for individuals with mobility issues.

"We are really trying to create an indoor play opportunity for all kids throughout southeast Minnesota, and make sure it's inclusive and accessible to children, parents, grandparents — anyone who may have a disability of some sort,” said Jacob Schuller, executive director of SEMCIL.

Schuller said while there are other indoor rec centers in Minnesota, he believes this will be the first facility in the state to be “universally-designed for people with a range of disabilities and mobility challenges.”

SEMCIL’s goal is to break ground on the project this September and have the indoor park open sometime in late summer or early fall of 2023. The organization is working with CRW architecture on the design; and Weis Builders on construction of the facility.

Founded in 1981, SEMCIL annually serves about 1,000-1,200 individuals of all ages and disabilities. Schuller said it’s his hope the park will improve equity for people they already serve, while also providing the broader community a place to play and learn more about their mission.

"This is an invitation to everyone in the community, and all people who are interested in recreational activities; as far as the opportunity to play, but then also people will hopefully be interested in engaging in some different discussions and resources for people with disabilities,” he said.

Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.

Cover: Rendering of SEMCIL’s planned rec facility / Submitted