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Bloomington June 9, 2011 • V41.23

CURRENT minnlocal.com

In the Community, With the Community, For the Community

Jags girls lax prevail at sections. Page 29

75¢

Community center intends to be a good neighbor BY MIKE HANKS • SUN NEWSPAPERS

At the Kids Fishing Fair At left, Peyton Baumgartner of Bloomington watches intently as she awaits a bite during the Bloomington Kids Fishing Fair at West Bush Lake Park June 4. The annual fishing contest featured prizes and trophies for children catching the largest fish in several categories. Above, Ben Schmidt receives a trophy and tackle box for catching the largest sunfish of the morning, measuring in at 8 inches. (Photos by Mike Hanks • Sun Newspapers)

When the former elementary and Lutheran high school building on Park Avenue became available in 2009, it wasn’t immediately embraced as the potential location for a community center by the leadership of Dar Al-Farooq of Minneapolis. The Muslim group was looking for a community center that would meet needs not being met at 983 17th Ave. S.E., and the former school building seemed like the answer Hyder Aziz was looking for. He proposed the Park Avenue site to Dar Al-Farooq leaders in 2009. “They rejected it,” he said. The location was deemed too far removed from the area they were serving. As acting executive director of Dar AlFarooq, Aziz pitched the idea again last year as the vacant school awaited a new tenant. The former school building, with its gymnasium and its shared athletic fields in adjoining Smith Park, was very appealing for the youth and school programs Dar Al-Farooq had planned as part of a new community center. Dar Al-Farooq leaders took another look at the location and its amenities last year. “Together we decided perhaps this is worth a try,” Aziz said. Last month the Bloomington City Council approved the organization’s plans for a youth and family center at the former school building. The building is intended to serve the Muslim CENTER: TO PAGE 25

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