Elk River City Council members voted to grant a conditional use permit for the Elk River Area School District to add a new gymnasium space and weight room on the north end of Elk River High School, east of the hockey arena.
Public voters approved that expansion as part of a districtwide bond referendum in November 2014.
Mayor John Dietz and Council Member Jennifer Wagner were looking ahead to future football seasons, noting the planned expansion will close off driveway access between the football stadium and a northeast parking lot on the campus.
“I presume they (the district) are ready to handle that communication with the public,” Wagner said.
The northeast parking area still could be used during events. The mayor said maybe doors toward the southern end of the expansion will be unlocked during football games to allow fans a direct path to the stadium rather than needing to walk around the new gym space’s exterior walls.