It's the intangibles that built the Essentia Duluth Heritage Center.
That's how the center's chair, Patrick Francisco, sees it. He said because Duluth is made up of business people and laborists, conservatives and liberals, east and west, young and old, it took overcoming those divides to build something that could be a testament to teamwork.
"They played together. Duluth played together," Francisco said.
And Thursday night at Denfeld High School, the Heritage Center will pay tribute to that collaboration at its 10th anniversary celebration. What started out as an idea to build a hockey arena after the Peterson Arena burned down in 2004 has evolved into a community center that hosts dog shows, car shows, the Boys and Girls Club and events of all kinds.
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But more than just serving as the home base for people to celebrate community sports, it also became the launch pad for local business growth. Francisco said businesses like Frost River and the Duluth Grill attribute their success to the center.
It catalyzed the craft district.
"It was dark. It was decaying - looked like death," he said. "It doesn't now. It looks vibrant and dynamic. It looks like it has a future."
The first step to creating the center started with formulating a vision. In an ad that ran in the News Tribune more than a decade ago, that vision was pictured in the form of thought bubbles containing different types of potential growth. Those bubbles included text such as "strengthens the critical Duluth corridor," "triggers an additional $30 million private development on site" and "a home for Duluth high school teams." That vision has gradually taken shape through a combination of collaboration with public entities such as the city of Duluth, as well as private donations that paid off 85 percent of a $20 million debt.
"That seldom happens," said Francisco.
Thursday's free event will showcase a variety of personalities that will speak from a podium on a stage with the words "The Big Game" behind it. A metaphor for life and how people chose to tackle its challenges, it will be flanked by several phrases such as "commitment," "dedication," "courage" and "integrity," all verbal pillars the Heritage Center promotes.
The keynote speaker will be Alan Page, the former Minnesota Supreme Court Justice and Vikings hall-of-famer, who Francisco sees as the embodiment of those qualities. Along with Page, a team-building crew that goes by Drum Cafe will also be in attendance. There will be a video featuring several local business owners and national sports figures who will discuss the importance of community centers.
If you go
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What: 10th anniversary celebration of the Essentia Duluth Heritage Center
When: Thursday, Oct. 18, from 7-9 p.m..
Where: Denfeld High School Auditorium, 401 N. 44th Ave. W.
Details: There will be a meet and greet from 5-6:30 p.m., followed by a variety of speeches and videos. Refreshments will be provided.
