HOOK 1: Blaine just walked away from a $100 million dream project—so where's it going now? HOOK 2: A mega sports and wellness center could soon reshape your neighborhood—here’s what just changed. After four years of planning, Blaine officially pulled the plug on the proposed Minnesota Tournament Wellness Center—a massive 300,000-square-foot facility featuring fitness, 13 basketball courts, and up to 12 pickleball courts. The $100M project promised a $25M annual economic boost, but city leaders weren’t ready to put it on the ballot. Developer Shawn O’Keefe, a Blaine resident, isn’t backing down. His team is now eyeing new locations in Arden Hills, Burnsville, and Mounds View—with Arden Hills’ Rice Creek Commons emerging as a top contender. With private investors, national architects, and no tax drain promised, this could be Minnesota’s first facility of its kind, changing how we live, play, and connect. And as always, I’m Darin the Minnesotan, your favorite Twin Cities Realtor, I keep up with all things Minnesota, so you don't have to.
