What can the community expect from the Bismarck Park Board over the next 15 to 20 years? District Director Steve Neu would like to have a handle on those expectations also, so a public forum is in the works.

"We need to start a community discussion on long-range development of facilities in Bismarck and Burleigh County over the next 10 to 15 years," Neu told members of the Bismarck Park Board on Thursday. "We're not just talking about new facilities, but the infrastructure that will be needed and how we will keep up our present facilities."

The district staff has been hard at work developing an outline, which Neu wants the public to provide input on. As Bismarck continues to grow, he expects to see new interests develop and wants to know how the district will best meet those interests.

The outline focuses on specific facilities, including the Community Bowl, Capital Racquet and Fitness Center, the Fairgrounds, golf course development, High Prairie Arts and Science Complex, an indoor pool-aquatic facility, park development, public land acquisition, Schaumberg Arena, school enhancements for community use, trail development, Memorial Building and VFW Sports Center.

The opportunities to upgrade, construct and operate will have a price tag of $25 million to $30 million over the next 10 years, Neu said. He wants the public discussion to look at three parts - the projects themselves, funding and operations.

"We have to take a look at funding and funding packages," Neu said. "We could look at a 20-year bond package, use of existing sales tax, increasing the hospitality tax, private fund raising and capital campaigns. It probably won't be just one, but a combination."

Neu envisions combining the Burleigh County and Bismarck Park districts into one. He also wants to see an ordinance of dedication or park land or cash in lieu as developers create new subdivisions and the community continues its growth. Neu says funding discussion must go beyond the projects themselves and how they will be operated, maintained and staffed.

"I feel we've reached a point in time where we need to take the discussion to the next level," Neu said. "I think we'll be ready to go within the next 30 days. We'll hold a public forum for comments and then develop study groups the staff will work with."

Park Board President Dan Hovland said he feels Neu has the consensus support of the board's members.

"We have to be proactive in planning for the future. The community is growing and we need to plod ahead aggressively," Hovland said.

Board member Mark Zimmerman admitted he had some reservations, wondering if this was the right time. He also said he feels that if public meetings are held, they be held mindful of the scope of discussion.

"We have to get the word out that we want general input. We don't want people taking up time talking about the colors of umbrellas we are using at the pools or what trees we're going to plant," Zimmerman said.

Hovland reiterated that Neu had the endorsement of the board to move ahead.

In other business the Bismarck Park Board:

3 Approved the 2006 operating budget and budget ordinance. No changes were made from the preliminary budget adopted in August.

3 Approved Northern Improvement's bid for approximately $211,000 for the 2005 improvement district parking lot, paving and trail improvements.