Pine Valley gets a $1 million surprise

Pine Valley Recreation Area received an unexpected boost this week - and it wasn't from the late-season snowstorm.

During the Cloquet City Council meeting Tuesday, longtime city parks commissioner Tom Urbanski shared news of a $1 million commitment for construction of a new multipurpose chalet at the popular Cloquet park.

The donation comes from a family with deep ties to Cloquet and neighboring communities.

"I am happy to inform you of my intent to donate funds for the planning and construction of a proposed multipurpose chalet at Pine Valley Recreation Center in Cloquet," wrote former Cloquet resident Mike Medich in a letter to city officials.

Medich wasn't present Tuesday, when Ward 2 councilor Kerry Kolodge read the following paragraph aloud during the meeting:

"Over the past few years, my siblings and I have been considering possibilities to give back to the community in which we were raised," Medich wrote. "We hoped to recognize with thanks and appreciation the community of Cloquet; the foundation it provided, the values it helped instill, the education it afforded, and the support it generously provided our family of six children and my parents, George and Helen Medich, as small business owners over many decades."

Kolodge expressed thanks to the Medich family and shared another thought.

"Sometimes we focus on the things we don't have in Cloquet," Kolodge said. "This shows Cloquet is still a pretty good place to live and raise a family."

Currently living in the Green Bay area, Medich often returns to Cloquet to visit family and friends. During his trips home over the past few years, he has hiked the trails at Pine Valley with longtime friend Brent Smith and Urbanski. Medich took interest in the strategic planning process for Pine Valley completed by the Park Commission. He also toured Dunlap Island Park's picnic shelter facility, the newest building in the city's park system, to learn about modern park facilities and community needs.

Medich spent time with his siblings and friends observing how a range of park visitors used the facility.

"I was at first surprised and then happy when I read the letter from Mike," mayor Roger Maki said.

During the meeting, Maki said he spoke with Medich recently.

"We had a good conversation and I thanked him for this tremendous gift," Maki said.

Medich said after conversations among family and friends, combined with several visits to Pine Valley and informal discussions with city representatives, they believe supporting a new multipurpose chalet at Pine Valley was "a perfect fit."

"Our goal is to leave behind a lasting memorial to be enjoyed for years by future generations and citizens of Cloquet," Medich wrote. "The proposed facility can be used by all in the community to pursue healthy recreation, and further the use and enjoyment of a unique, beautiful, and easily accessible public space."

Exactly what the proposed multipurpose building looks like and where it will be located at Pine Valley will be identified through a planning process during 2024, and with a goal of construction in 2025. Medich intends to make an initial donation that will cover the estimated $20,000 cost for professional services for preliminary design, space planning and project estimating.

Ward 1 councilor Bun Carlson said he went to school with both Medich and his friend Smith.

"It makes me very proud to be in the graduating class with two outstanding citizens," Carlson said.

After successful completion of the planning process, Medich's intent is to donate up to $1 million for the project's construction on behalf of the George and Helen Medich Family, in exchange for permanent naming rights to the proposed facility.

"Those of us who have been here for a long time or grew up here, we've known Pine Valley as a gem in the park system," Urbanski said. "It's going to get a really nice polish coming up with this donation. ... We're truly grateful and appreciative

to the Medich family for

doing this."

Family ties

Many Cloquet residents will recognize the Medich family name.

Mike's parents, George and Helen Medich, moved to Cloquet in 1962 after purchasing Raiter Pharmacy. The store was a mainstay in Cloquet for more than 32 years, first as Raiter Pharmacy and later as Medich Pharmacy on Cloquet Avenue.

George, a pharmacist by profession and well-known as a "people person," retired from the pharmacy and retail industry after more than 45 years.

George Medich was a community leader in Cloquet and in his profession. He served as a member and president of the Cloquet Area Chamber of Commerce, was a long-time member of the Rotary Club and served as a board member of Cloquet's First National Bank for more than two decades. He and Helen were fundraisers and contributors to many community projects including leading the local American Cancer Society and American Heart Association fund drives.

George was president of the Chamber when the first Christmas lights decorated the streets of downtown Cloquet.

He was deeply committed to the pharmacy profession and his customers, serving on numerous boards and organizations related to his pharmacy career.

George and Helen's children and Mike's siblings are Mary Medich, Christ Medich, Catherine Medich, Paula Kaufman, and George Medich, Jr.

"I remember when George had his pharmacy on Cloquet Avenue," Maki said. "George ran a very good business and he had quite a bit of stuff in there. One of the things he had, and it was only available there in Cloquet, were Russell Stover chocolates. If I didn't need to visit George's pharmacy, I would still go there around Christmas or birthdays and buy a box or two of Russell Stover candy. I still really like those."

Maki, as well as several other city staff and community members, could not recall an individual private donation as large as what Medich is intending.

"We have a very good park system in Cloquet," Maki said outside the meeting. "With our park commission, our city staff, and Kerry Kolodge - our city council liaison to the park commission - our parks are in good hands. The parks are used a lot, they are very scenic, and this is an exciting opportunity to be able to add a substantial benefit to Pine Valley. I'm sure it's going to bring many more people out to enjoy the park."

Editor Jana Peterson and Pine Knot News freelance writer and photographer Tom Urbanski both contributed to this story.