5.1. DRAFT MINUTES 08-15-2017
Meeting of the Arena Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
Members Present: Chair Givens, Vice Chair Balabon, Commissioners Ballenger,
Cunningham, Westgaard, Madsen, Sagan
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Arena Manager Rich Czech, Arena Assistant Laura Estby
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Ice Arena Commission
was called to order at 6:02 p.m. by Chair Givens.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Recited by Commission Members and Staff.
3. Oath of Office to New Commission Members
Oath of Office completed by Commissioner Westgaard, Balabon, Ballenger, Sagan
4. Consider 4/18/17 Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner
Ballenger to approve the April 18, 2017 agenda.
Motion carried 7-0.
5. Consider 8/16/16 Minutes
Motion by Commissioner Madsen and seconded by Vice Chair Balabon to
approve the August 16, 2016. Motion carried 7-0.
6. Open Forum
No one was in attendance.
7. Financial Update
Arena Manager Czech reviews the financial report. Czech notes revenue is up
$13,000 from projected due to increased sales of summer ice. He adds revenue is
down for recreation programs(consistent with a decrease in expenses), which
includes Breakaway and our Learn to Skate Program, and that he may be talking to
Elk River Youth Hockey about collaboration moving forward for the Learn to Skate.
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April 18, 2017
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Sign rental revenue is down, due to no current advertising on the Zambonis. Tim
Dolan from the Decklan Group has been hired to help with acquiring advertisers,
however Czech notes that it may be brought back in house with the assistance of
Lead Worker Ben Nordstrom and Maintenance Supervisor Tony Seibert.
Dry Floor rentals have increased due to MEGA goaltending renting the shooting
area. Czech adds they are in a two year contract.
Commissioner Ballenger notes Elk River Youth Hockey will be discussing how to
better utilize the shooting area at it’s next meeting. Vice Chair Balabon adds there
was confusion as to how to reserve the shooting area, which will also be addressed.
Czech continues with operating expenditures not being used as we are waiting to see
what happens with a new space/renovation, and concessions having a profit of
$24,000 in 2016. Ultimately the arena ends 2016 with $172,000 in profit due to
capital outlay projects being put on hold.
Motion by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Commissioner Madsen
to approve the Arena Financials. Motion carries 7-0.
8. General Business
8.1 Community Center/Arena Update
Arena Manager Czech states, due to the referendum not passing in November,
which would have combined the arena with the senior center, the task force decided
to review the 2012 arena renovation plans from the 292 Group.
Commissioner Cunningham notes the district’s capital improvement plans for 2018
include a new stadium, parking lots and tennis courts.
Commissioner Westgaard adds the original plans kept the same footprint that the
arena currently has. However, The City has had 2 meetings with the school district,
which has opened the possibility of the plans potentially being expanded to the west,
using space that is currently a varsity softball field. The field would be moved to
Lion’s Park Center.
Commissioner Cunningham adds the new Superintendent of Schools begins on July
1, and he isn’t sure how much of these plans have been discussed with him yet.
Arena Manager Czech reviews the expanded 292 Group plans and notes the total
project cost would be $21,563,731.
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8.2 2017-2018 Ice Rates
Arena Manager Czech reviews the neighboring rink’s rates and notes the rates are
typically raised every other year, and adds a $5/hour increase translates to about
$12,000 - $14,000 in added revenue.
Commissioner Westgaard notes the range in rates for 2016 – 2017 are $160-$210 for
prime hours.
Czech notes the St. Cloud Arena’s rates are subsidized by the college, and Buffalo
has an agreement with their youth hockey association, as do other arenas which
partially accounts for the wide range of rates.
Commissioner Ballenger suggests alternating increases. Prime rates one year, then
non-prime the next.
Arena Manager Czech adds non-prime rates includes summer rates as well, and that
all changes would be effective in September.
Commissioner Ballenger notes Elk River Youth Hockey is considering moving it’s
mite season to start later and go later to take advantage of the non-prime ice rates
that start in March.
Motion by Commissioner Madsen and seconded by Commissioner Ballenger
to keep raise the prime rate to $195/hour keep the rates and $145 for non
prime. Motion carries 7-0.
(Commissioner Ballenger leaves)
Commissioner Westgaard adds the arena’s amenities are not as good as some of the
rinks that charge more per hour, and that user groups might be willing to pay more
for a renovated arena.
Commissioner Madsen inquires about the total number of prime to non-prime hours
the arena sells.
Arena Manager Czech notes the rink sells 2000 prime hours and 1000 non-prime
hours (which includes summer). Non-prime hours begin after 10pm on Friday and
Saturday and after 9:15 p.m. Sunday – Thursday. Czech also adds that the St.
Michael/Albertville Arena will be adding a second sheet.
9. Arena Manager’s Update
Arena Manager Czech highlights upcoming events/projects:
The ice is coming out of the barn beginning April 19.
The Craft Show has filled
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Midwest Hockey has three tournaments, in April, May and August.
Summer Camps run by varsity hockey coaches begin June 12.
The Olympic will be closed late May – early June for maintenance, will
reopen on 6/11.
Summer projects include adding a gate to the NE corner of the Olympic for
easier access to the barricades/boards.
New front doors are currently being installed.
Commission Balabon inquires about the lockers in Youth Hockey’s area. Some
haven’t been used in a while and have old locks that could be removed.
Czech replies he will contact Elk River Youth Hockey President Kelli Swart to
coordinate setting up a time for removing the old locks.
Commissioner Balabon adds Elk River Youth Hockey’s annual meeting is
Wednesday, April 18 at room 105 in the high school, and it will include voting in the
open positions on the board.
Arena Manager Czech presents the MIAMA survey results for the commission to
review. He also adds the ISI National Conference will be held in Minneapolis this
year in May.
11. Date of next Arena Commission Meeting
Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Uppertown Conference Room.
12. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Vice Chair Balabon to
adjourn. Motion carries 7-0 at 7:08 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Laura Estby
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DeAnn Givens, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk