Plan to rebuild Bde Maka Ska pavilion approved by Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

Posted on 20 May, 2021

Constructed is anticipated in 2022 with concessions resuming in 2023

At its regular meeting on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) of Commissioners approved a concept plan to replace the Bde Maka Ska pavilion that burned down in 2019. Use the link below to view the concept:

Bde Maka Ska Pavilion Site Concept

Park Commissioners passed two amendments to the site concept plan last night:

  • The Board of Commissioners directs staff to pursue a memorandum of understanding with the Bde Maka Ska Sailing School, which would jointly seek opportunities for relocating boat launches and sailing school/club facilities away from the NE corner, as recommended in the master plan to ease congestion. And explore and identify funding opportunities that might be sourced for its relocation.
  • Amend the plan to remove any exterior fire pits.

Background and Timeline

The former Bde Maka Ska concessions pavilion, also called a “refectory,” was built in 1930. It was engulfed in flames on May 16, 2019 and torn down 12 days later. The MPRB paved over the site to provide a temporary gathering space at the popular northeastern corner of the lake and installed electrical hookups for pavilion vendor Lola’s to operate food trucks.

The Bde Maka Ska-Harriet Master Plan, approved in 2017, provided guidance for the pavilion site improvements. The concepts were designed by a team led by Cuningham after working with MPRB staff and numerous stakeholders for several months.

Two concepts were published for public comment on March 11, 2021. Public feedback was taken via online survey, email and social media through April 1, including three public online Open House events in March. A single, preferred concept was published on April 22.

A public hearing was held at the Board of Commissioners meeting on May 5, 2021. That night Park Commissioners voted against the site concept in Planning Committee. The concept was brought back to Planning Committee the following meeting on May 19 and it passed with the amendments listed above. The full Board of Commissioners also voted to approve the amended concept last night.

Next, the design team will work on finalizing schematic design and construction bid documents. Construction is anticipated in 2022 with concessions resuming for the 2023 season. Funding sources include insurance compensation, regional park improvement funding and park dedication fees, among other sources.

Please visit the Bde Maka Ska Refectory Rebuild project page and enter you email address into the box under “Subscribe to Email Updates” to stay informed and up-to-date on this project. Also, share the project page with anyone who may be interested using the link minneapolisparks.org/bmsrebuild.