04-02-2002 ICE MIN MEETING OF THE ELK RIVER ICE ARENA COMMISSION
HELD AT THE ELK RIVER CITY HALL
TUESDAY, APRIL 2, 2002
Members Present: Vice-Chair Johnson, Commissioners Aro, Briggs, Halgren, Madsen and
Tveite
Members Absent: Chairman Martin
Staff Present: Ice Arena Manager Rich Czech, Finance Director Lori Johnson
1 Call Meeting To Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Elk River Ice Arena Commission
was called to order at 6:10 p.m. by Vice-Chair Johnson
2 Consider 4/2/2002 Agenda
COMMISSIONER TVEITE MOVED TO APPROVE THE 4/2/2002 AGENDA.
COMMISSIONER MADSEN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0
3 Consider 8/14/2001 Ice Arena Minutes
Commissioner Madsen noted that he was not present at the 8/14/2001
COMMISSIONER ARO MOVED TO APPROVE THE 8/14/2001 ICE ARENA MINUTES
WITH THE CORRECTION. COMMISSIONER HALGREN SECONDED THE MOTION. THE
MOTION CARRIED 6-0
4 Open Mike
Commissioner Halgren commented that on the east side bleachers, the filming deck cuts
sightlines into the corners of the rink.
5 Review 2001 Operating Finances, Current Information on 2002 Financial Status
Finance Director Lori Johnson reviewed the 2001 operating results. Questions surfaced
around the total number of admissions, primarily due to the financial report going from
January through December, which splits the hockey season in half. The other questions
focused on the Rec hockey programs.
The consensus of the commission was satisfaction in the 2001 results.
6 Review the Status of the South End of the Barn
Ice Arena Manager Rich Czech noted that the bleachers have been removed and that there
is no immediate plan for any construction.
Commissioner Halgren suggested that this area might be used for a Blue Line Club House.
Commissioner Madsen commented that White Bear Lake has a weight room in their arena.
Further, he suggested that we could offer the Youth Hockey the ability to build a meeting
room there. Commissioner Madsen was going to check with Youth Hockey to see if there
was any interest on their part to build a meeting room.
7 Certification of Bleachers
Ice Arena Manager Rich Czech noted that the new bleachers in the Olympic Arena have
been installed and did receive certification.
Discussion ensued about the improved safety the new bleachers provide.
8 Boulevard Display Sign
In January of this year, the VFW donated $5,000 for a display sign to assist in promoting
events at the arena. Due to the wet weather, the sign isn't complete, but the hole is dug and
the sign should be complete soon.
9 Ice Usage Update/Rates/Customers
The usage for the prior year appeared to have increased slightly. This was the first year in a
three-year agreement with the Youth Hockey to freeze the rental rates in exchange for their
contribution to the new bleachers.
Rates were increased in 2001 in the Barn to $135 matching the Olympic rates.
COMMISSIONER MADSEN MOVED TO KEEP THE RATES THE SAME FOR THE
UPCOMING SEASON. COMMISSIONER ARO SECONDED THE MOTION. THE MOTION
CARRIED 6-0.
Ice Arena Manager Rich Czech commented that we have lost Monticello as a customer.
However, the ice time vacated by Monticello was filled with other uses such as the Skating
Academy.
Rogers has a non-profit organization that has been considering construction of a new arena
but MAHA is not allowing them to form a Youth Hockey organization until the Rogers High
School is complete. Given the increase in demand, the area could support a third sheet of
ice within 3—4 years.
10 Staff Updates
A. Sign Sales —Advertising has been pretty stable for the past few years. North Memorial
may be pulling their ad from the Zamboni. It was the commission's consensus that we will
keep our eyes open for possible advertisers.
B. Concession Stand—Youth Hockey leases the concession stand space for$21,500 per
year. It was the commission's consensus that no rate increase was needed.
C. Summer Projects —The matting in the players' hallway in the Barn will be replaced and
three more sections of center groove will be installed in the Barn. The Barn is also in the final
phase of receiving new light fixtures.
The Olympic rink will be having four sections of boards moved around. The ice plant's
condenser will be having some work done and the new city logo will be installed in the center
of the ice.
D. Dryfloor Usage - There will be a roller blade league in the arena over the summer. The
arena will also hold it's normal events: school dances in April, May and September,
Chamber's Business Expo, Jose Cole's Circus and a craft fair in May and September.
E. Rink Floor of the Barn —There is a leak in the system indicated by the loss of refrigerant.
Floor replacement is inevitable; we need to plan for this and how to fund it.
11 Other Business
There was none
12 Adjournment
There being no further business COMMISSIONER MADSEN MOVED TO ADJOURN THE
4/2/2002 ICE ARENA COMMISSION MEETING. COMMISSIONER TVEITE SECONDED
THE MOTION. THE MOTION CARRIED 6-0. The meeting was adjourned at approximately
7:20 p.m.
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