in the north/northwest metro, although if it meets all of our other "requirements," we would be willing to go pretty much anywhere in the metro, as long as it is easy to get to off major interstates for my OOT relatives.
There will probably be 20-30 people, and we are looking for a space that has some sort of entertainment for the kiddos (pool, indoor play area, etc). We would prefer to have a facility that has natural sunlight (i.e. not an internal "meeting room" type of room) and one that has a sink available, but that is not a must. Budget is $100-$150ish, but that is flexible as well.
We checked out Shoreview and Mounds View Community Centers, and neither one seemed quite what we are looking for. Any ideas?
Re: looking for a meeting/party room
check out the Maple Grove Community Center. i held my son's birthday parties here a few times when he was younger because they have the Maple Maze and a pool
http://www.ci.maple-grove.mn.us/content/149/1022/default.aspx
I don't think it has the natural light requirement (and I think you're going to have a hard time finding that with the other things you want...), but Eagle's Nest at the New Brighton Family Service Center has the big play area.
Have you looked into area hotels that have banquet rooms? I have no idea how much those run though...