Minneapolis toots horn for fun center in old rail depot

By BILL VIPOND

Register Staff Writer

03/23/2003

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Minneapolis, Minn. - Iowans typically think of spring as a time for vacations to warm weather destinations. But, an excellent getaway can be found by heading north.

The old Milwaukee Road Depot in downtown Minneapolis has recently been converted into a year-round family entertainment center.

A $60 million renovation of the century-old Renaissance Revival style building was completed in July of 2001. The complex includes two hotels, a restaurant and bar, an indoor water park, and a year-round enclosed ice skating rink.

My family found this combination, with its mix of winter and summer activities, ideal for a getaway with school-age kids.

The centerpiece of the Depot complex is an indoor water park, which was recently named "Best Hotel/Resort Waterpark" by Aquatics International. The water park features four pool areas and draws heavily on the railroad theme.

A replica of a locomotive engine occupies the center of the large wading pool area. The locomotive houses several small water slides and other play areas for younger kids.

Every fifteen minutes or so, the crossing signal clamors. Newcomers soon find out that this signals the beginning of a flood of water that engulfs the locomotive, as well as dumping water on unsuspecting parents from a pipe above the adjacent swimming area.

Next to the wading pool is the main swimming pool. At one corner of this pool is a built-in regulation size basketball goal. At the other end, energetic patrons can attempt to scale a climbing net. The water park also includes a large spa area.

The highlight of the water park for older kids and adventurous adults is a three-story waterslide. Sliders find themselves spiraling through an enclosed plastic tube that exits the building, makes several twists and turns, then re-enters the building into a small pool at the bottom of the slide.

The only complaint my family had with this slide was a slight undertow that resulted when the wave reflected off the pool wall and back toward the person who had just completed the ride. This startled my young daughter enough to prompt the lifeguard to come to her aid.

On the mezzanine level of the water-park area is a large arcade-game area with video games, air hockey and popular Skeeball. In addition, there is a snack-bar area with a large screen TV, which we found convenient for watching NCAA basketball tournament games.

Many parents also relaxed in the mezzanine - a relatively quiet place to read a book while keeping an eye on the kids.

Next to the Depot is the old train shed building, now home to a climate-controlled indoor ice rink. One of just a few long-span, truss-roofed train sheds left in the United States, the Depot Rink now features floor-to-ceiling windows that fill the rink with natural light and which provide a beautiful view of the downtown skyline at night.

The unique glass wall design earned an award from the American Institute of Architects - Minnesota.

In keeping with the railroad theme, even the Zamboni looks like a locomotive.

The Depot Rink is open to the public year-round.

The depot building was built in 1899 and was a busy railroad depot until the Milwaukee Road discontinued rail service to Minneapolis in 1971. In 1978, the Depot and the nearby freight house were placed on the National Register of Historic Places and then sat dormant until the Minneapolis Community Development Agency sold the property to CSM Corporation in 1998.

The redevelopment project included the renovation of the Depot and train shed as well as the construction of the Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn by Marriott hotels and an underground-parking garage.

The Depot is near the Mississippi River, the Target Center, the Metrodome, and the Minneapolis theatre and business districts.

The Old Spaghetti Factory restaurant and a Dunn Bros. coffee shop are within easy walking distance.

If you go

INFORMATION: Call (612) 375-1700 or see Web site www.thedepotminneapolis.com. The Depot is at 225 S. Third Ave., Minneapolis, Minn.

55401.

LODGING: The Courtyard by Marriott, (612) 375-1700, has 204 rooms, plus 23 custom decorated historic suites in the original depot building. The Residence Inn, (612) 340-1300, has 130 studio, one and two bedroom suites, including some with fireplaces. The Depot typically offers resort packages including overnight accommodations and admission to the waterpark and ice rink.

SKATING: The Depot Rink is open to the public year-round. Winter and spring public skating hours are 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m. and 9 p.m.-11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m. and 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday, 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday and 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $7 adults, $5 seniors ages 62 and up, $5 juniors age 17 and under.

WATER PARK: Hours for the water park are 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday. Day passes are available for non-hotel guests on a limited basis. Telephone (612) 375-1700.

ON THE WEB: www.thedepotminneapolis.com

A $60 million renovation of the downtown complex includes two hotels, a skating rink and a water park to entertain children.