Despite not getting a state grant to replace a pavilion at Kordiak Park, 1845 49th Ave. NE, the project will move ahead with new funding from another source. The new pavilion should be in place by next spring.
Jeff Perry, Anoka County Parks director, said the county’s request for Minnesota Department of Natural Resources dollars was denied twice, but instead the county will use federal American Rescue Act funding.
The park is located in Columbia Heights, but is actually a county park, the oldest such park in Minnesota.
The posts holding up the large roof of the pavilion were judged to be unsafe because of rotting, and this past year the whole structure was torn down.
Since then the project cost was estimated at $180,000 for a new, metal structure, with the county paying half the cost.
The additional funding became available when the county was able to save money on other projects using the American Rescue Act funds — money given to governmental units during and after the pandemic.
Perry said the materials for pavilion are on back order, but the order should go through in the next several months. Construction will begin and be completed in the spring of 2025.
The new pavilion will be a 32- by 42-foot steel structure. The color scheme will be black powder-coated frame and dark brown steel roofing. The pavilion will have a 50-person capacity.
Meanwhile, design and engineering work will continue this year to reconstruct the parking lot and trails within the park and to replace two timber pedestrian bridges over Highland Lake inside the park. Large concrete culverts will replace the bridges.
That construction is also slated for 2025.
Kordiak Park’s new pavilion will have a 50-person capacity. Construction will begin in spring 2025. (Anoka County Parks)