🔁 Apple Valley Kills $1B Data Center + Ice Rink & New Homes

Good morning, South Metro.

What's inside:

Apple Valley kills $1B data center (135 acres, 15 months of planning, gone)
Rosemount's $38M ice complex: two NHL sheets, council voted 4-0 to start design
Farmington's 215 new homes approved near high school ($350K–$500K)
Dinner Club is back: April 2nd at Gary's, take the quiz to claim your seat
Mar 19-22: Pond skim, Easter Bunny breakfast, Chad Daniels & craft markets

What year did Buck Hill ski area begin operating?

1948

1954

1960

1965

Meet Your People - Now at Gary's Supper Club

Tired of the work-family-repeat loop? The South Metro Scoop Dinner Club matches you with 5 locals based on your age, interests, then handles all the planning so you just show up.

This round, we're partnering exclusively with Gary's Supper Club for the April 2nd dinner. Classic setting, great food, zero awkwardness (we handle the matchmaking).

Here's how it works: Take a quick personality quiz, we match your table, and you show up at 6:30 PM ready to meet people.

👉 Take the quiz and claim your seat

Next dinner: Thursday, April 2 at Gary's Supper Club — 6:30 PM

Rosemount Is Exploring a Brand-New Indoor Ice Complex

Two full sheets of NHL-size ice, $38 million price tag, and no site picked yet, council voted 4-0 to start the design work.

Read About ice Complex

Apple Valley Just Killed a 1-Million-Square-Foot Data Center

135 acres, seven buildings, $1 billion in projected economic impact, gone. Water supply concerns and a bad comp plan fit ended it after 15 months.

Read About Data Center

Farmington Is Getting 215 New Homes Right Next to the High School

73 acres, $350K–$500K price points, trails connecting to the school, and a new road to County Road 50 that wasn't even in the original plan. Council approved unanimously.

Read About The New Homes

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FEATURE AN EVENT

A local artist walks you through an acrylic painting at MoonLeaf while you sip mushroom mocktails (THC drinks available too), $38 gets you all supplies and zero experience needed, 21+ only and spots are limited. Get elevated.

Thursday 19th

Paint Silly Old Bear at Spiral Brewery (Hastings)
All supplies included for $40 at Spiral Brewery at 6:30pm, paint an adorable Silly Old Bear on canvas while sipping local brews. Oh bother.

Tribute to Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young (Lakeville)
Classic folk-rock magic comes to Brianno's Chart House at 7pm with all the harmonies and hits you know by heart. Sing along.

Friday 20th

Paint & Sip at Badger Hill Brewing (Shakopee)
No experience needed for this $38 art class at Badger Hill at 6pm, just bring your sense of adventure and they'll handle the rest. Get creative.

Saturday 21st

8th Annual March into Spring Craft & Gift Market (Apple Valley)
Dozens of vendors fill the Apple Valley Sports Arena starting at 10am with handmade goods and unique gifts perfect for spring. Shop local.

Safe Hands Rescue Meet & Greet at Bachman's (Apple Valley)
Meet adoptable pets from Safe Hands Rescue at Bachman's starting at 11am, free to attend and you might just fall in love. Adopt me.

Pond Skim Party at Buck Hill (Burnsville)
Watch skiers attempt to skim across water at Buck Hill starting at 9am, epic wins and spectacular wipeouts guaranteed. Send it.

Breakfast with the Bunnies (Farmington)
Pancakes, crafts, and the Easter Bunny at Rambling River Center starting at 9am, this beloved family tradition fills up fast. Hop to it.

Nature Program - Critters of the Beaver Pond (Farmington)
Explore wetland wildlife and beaver pond critters at Rambling River Center at 9am, hands-on nature fun for curious kids. Explore.

Spring Craft Show (Inver Grove Heights)
Browse handmade goods from local vendors at Bethesda Lutheran Church, the perfect spot to find one-of-a-kind spring treasures. Shop local.

Home, Landscape and Community Expo (Lakeville)
Free annual expo at Lakeville North High School starting at 9am with home improvement, landscaping, and community resources all under one roof. Dream big.

Play for Free Session 2 at TCO Dome (Lakeville)
Free open play for kids on the indoor turf at TCO Dome at 10:30am, let them run wild while it costs you nothing. Run free.

The Hound of the Baskervilles: A Comic Thriller (Lakeville)
Saturday night Sherlock Holmes hilarity at Lakeville Area Arts Center at 7pm, laughs are guaranteed. Elementary.

Chad Daniels (Prior Lake)
One of Minnesota's funniest comedians takes the Mystic Lake stage at 8pm, Chad Daniels always delivers big laughs. Laughing hard.

Bock Party Beer Mile (Shakopee)
Think you can run a mile and drink four beers? Prove it at the BrewHall at 11am as part of the Bock Party festivities. Chug and run.

Sunday 22nd

Spring Equinox Yoga (Inver Grove Heights)
Welcome spring with a special equinox yoga session at Veterans Memorial Community Center at 5pm, the perfect way to reset. Breathe deep.

Minnesota Rugby Senior Selects Tryout #1 (Rosemount)
Hit the pitch at Irish Sports Dome at 8am for the first Minnesota Rugby Senior Selects tryout, bring your best game. Ruck it.

Paint Hummingbird Haven at Tops Pizza (Rosemount)
All supplies included for $35 at Tops Pizza & Grill at 6pm, paint a beautiful hummingbird scene while enjoying dinner. Get creative.

How did you like this week's edition of the South Metro Scoop?

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Thanks for reading!

Stay tuned for our next newsletter going out every Monday & Thursday morning.

Scramble game answer: HOTDISH

— Brady Greenbush
Publisher & Editor

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🔁 Apple Valley Kills $1B Data Center + Ice Rink & New Homes

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