COOK COUNTY CONNECTIONS Community Center Services

By Leanne Avery, Community Center Assistant

COOK COUNTRY, MINNESOTA   June 5, 2022  (LSNews)  Many residents of Cook County now think of the Community Center as “the place I went to get my COVID vaccine”. It is true, the Community Center has been a vital part of Cook County’s amazing implementation of a massive vaccination program. The Arena was a constant hive of activity as the clinic and public health staff faithfully administered vaccines to members of the Community.

In addition to providing space for mass vaccinations and a staging area for emergency management operations, what does the Community Center have to offer the residents of Cook County and how does one go about accessing all the Community Center has to offer?

Our 19-acre campus boasts a beautiful playground for toddlers and young children, a skatepark for older kids and teens, as well as tennis courts for people of all ages. Additionally, the property contains a community garden, horse arena, an outdoor ice rink complete with a warming house for winter recreation, as well as a ballpark for community sports and events. The Community Center is also home to the Cook County Curling Club; their season runs from October through March each year. 

Along with the wide variety of recreational opportunities accessible on the grounds of the Community Center, there are a broad range of facilities available for residents of Cook County to utilize and enjoy. Information on facility rentals can be found on the Cook County website or by calling the Community Center at 218-387-3015. From community meetings to space for classes, to clubs and activities, the Community Center is a go-to spot for groups. You can rent a space to host a family reunion, your child’s birthday party, a graduation event or a holiday celebration for family and friends.  

The Conference room offers a table and up to 10 chairs, perfect for a small meeting or group conference. If your event involves more individuals, the Community Room is suitable for a larger meeting or activity. The space has a large projection screen (users must bring their own projector), a large TV which users can link to a laptop via HDMI cable, and the option to set up tables and chairs to accommodate 50 to 100 people, depending on the room arrangement.

The Log building on site is a popular rental for anything from dance classes and recitals to parties and rummage sales. The space has a wood floor, gas fireplace, refrigerator, and coffee maker for your event. The Log Building has space for 25 to 50 people, depending on the intended activity.

The indoor Arena at the Community Center is a great place to host a large event accommodating up to 500 people. It has been utilized for wedding receptions, fairs, fitness activities and many large community events. While it is a sizable space, the fee for rental remains economical.

Yet another feature of the Community Center is our Commercial Kitchen which is also available to rent. It can either be reserved alone or in conjunction with another space in which to prepare and serve food for your meeting, gathering or event. Because the kitchen is fully equipped with appliances, dishes, and utensils, it provides a convenient way to cook and serve for any event you would like to host at the Community Center.

Another offering of the Community Center is the Food Entrepreneur Incubator Program. The commercial kitchen can be rented through this program by start-up food businesses as they get off the ground. We recognize and appreciate the unique challenges of starting a small food-based business. We seek to encourage and support these entrepreneurs in Cook County by providing a certified commercial kitchen for a limited, predetermined period while a business is being established. The kitchen is made available to the new business for a small hourly fee on a reservation basis. Individuals use the kitchen to prepare food for the business with the intent to distribute or sell/serve at a determined location. During this start-up phase the entrepreneur is looking toward a more permanent location to house their food business.

The Cook County Community Center is an amazing resource for residents and visitors to utilize, whether you are looking for a place to play, grow food, host a party, or start a business.

County Connections is a column on timely topics and service information from your Cook County government. Cook County – Supporting Community Through Quality Public Service

By Leanne Avery, Community Center Assistant

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