04-16-2019 ICE MIN City of
ElkMeeting of the Arena Commission
River Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, April 16, 20 19
Members Present: Chair Givens,Vice Chair Balabon, Commissioners Williams,
Westgaard, Ballenger, Madsen, Cunningham
Members Absent: None
Staff Present: Arena Manager Rich Czech, Arena Assistant Laura Estby
I. 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. Consider Agenda
Motion made by Commissioner Westgaard and seconded by Vice Chair
Balabon to approve the agenda. Motion carries 7-0.
4. Oath of Office to New Commission Members
• Recited by Chair Givens and Commissioner Cunningham.
5. Consent Agenda
5.1 August 21, 2018 Minutes
Section 7.1 Community Center/Arena the Mighty Ducks grant could be as much has
$500,000 total.
Motion to approve with above change made by Commissioner Ballenger and
seconded by Commission Madsen. Motion carries 7-0.
6. Open Forum
None present.
7. Financial Update
Arena Manager Czech reviews the financial report, noting revenue for 2018 was just
shy of$10,000 over budget. Ice sales were down,however revenue from
recreational programs was up. Czech adds the Breakaway Hockey league may expand
to another rink (Coon Rapids has expressed interest). The revenue from the league
breaks down to over$200/hour for ice that would normally be sold for$145/hour
this time of year.
Expenditures were up in 2018 due to the ice plant, however with the new facility we
won't have those issues.
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April 16,2019
S Concessions had a profit of$22,000 even with increased personnel due to more
tournaments.
The contributions/rebates section of the financials report is the "bleacher fund"
some of which may be used towards the renovation project.
Motion by Commissioner Cunningham and seconded by Commissioner
Westgaard to approve the financial report as presented. Motion carries 7-0.
8. General Business
8.1 Community Center/Arena Update
Arena Manager Czech reviews the 292 Group's plans for the renovation, noting the
ice plant will be a state of the art ammonia system with built in safety features. He is
unsure if the condenser will be sized for a 2 sheet or a 3 sheet facility.
Arena Manager Czech adds Ibackcheck has expressed an interest in leasing some of
the retail space, and notes there will be a walking track on the premiere rink as well
as the current track that will be around the future turf facility.
Commissioner Cunningham inquires about the seating capacity.
Arena Manager Czech replies the premier rink will seat 1600 plus standing room, and
III we currently can seat 850-900. He adds gates should be installed over the windows
so visitors will not be able to watch the game if they haven't paid and notes he will
bring that up.
Commissioner Madsen inquires why the new rinks are parallel to the current
Olympic rink as opposed to perpendicular as they were in previous plans.
Commissioner Westgaard stated the change was made for accessibility so that
customers wouldn't have to go through one sheet to get to the other.
Commissioner Cunningham asks about concessions on the first floor, since the turf
arena/sports floor could house volleyball tournaments, etc.
Arena Manager Czech replies concessions is only located on the second level in the
current plan.
Commissioner Westgaard adds there would be the ability to handle some
concessions out of the main office as well.
Commissioner Cunningham inquires if the pickle ball courts on the design are
permanent?
S Commissioner Westgaard responds The City is currently doing research on the
ability to lay hard surface over the turf to allow for more flexibility of use.
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Arena Manager Czech explains the purple triangular area on the first floor plans to
the lower left of the turf court is where the concessions stand will be during
construction.
Commissioner Westgaard notes it can also be used as concessions for the turf area
permanently if we find it is needed. Originally the floors were slated to be skate
carpet or matting, however if it is changed to polished concrete,it would save
$250,000.
Commissioner Cunningham inquires about access to bathrooms.
Commissioner Westgaard replies bathrooms will be on both sides, the referees will
have their own as well as the varsity/jv and the visiting varsity/jv teams.
Commissioner Balabon asks how youth hockey coaches would get to the practice
rink.
Commissioner Westgaard notes it may make sense to flip the association office with
the youth coach office to give easier access to both rinks.
Arena Manager Czech makes a note to discuss options with 292 Group.
Chair Givens asks about bathrooms during construction.
Arena Manager Czech replies there will be some portables during the renovation but
also some single bathrooms in the temporary locker room area.
Commissioner Balabon asks about the cost to add a third sheet now, and explains
the information had been confusing.
Czech replies he thought the figure was $160,000 - $200,000 just to make the ice
plant ready to accommodate 3 sheets, and he would have to go back to The 292
Group to find out what the rest of the costs were estimated to be.
Commissioner Westgaard adds that if a 3`d sheet happens in the future,it would go
back in the Olympic, but if that should happen we would need to find a new home
for the turf area.
Balabon requests before the third sheet discussion is closed, he would like to see the
costs presented to Elk River Youth Hockey.
Arena Manager Czech states the ice plants that we currently have are as efficient as
we can get, but they are outdated. Demand cost would go up with two.
Commissioner Westgaard notes The City will have to discuss with the school about
what they would like for the varsity locker rooms,if they are just a shell or if they will
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April 16,2019
be built to certain specs. He also adds there is money in the Hockey Day MN Fund,
and the steering committee should reconvene to decide what to do with it.
Commissioner Cunningham adds discussions about the locker rooms should happen
soon.
Commissioner Westgaard notes The City will also have to discuss storm water and
parking with the high school, and that The City is willing to move the storm water
pond to Lions Park,which would add 85 parking spaces.
Arena Manager Czech reviews the estimated construction dates, and adds the MN
government adjourns on May 22"`'with the closing of the barn taking place the end
of June.
Commissioner Ballenger inquires about dryland in the new facility.
Czech replies it will be in the north end of the field house.
Commissioner Westgaard adds it is being discussed to shift the layout of the turfed
area to accommodate more room for warm ups, shooting, etc and that there is still
time to address these issues.
Commissioner Cunningham adds the high school's fields will still need to be used
during construction, so they will need to figure out how they will get in and out and
what the safety zone looks like.
Commissioner Westgaard adds the site plans can be found in the dropbox.
9. Arena Manager's Update
Skate Show is May 17-18
There are no craft shows in 2019.
Summertime ice begins June 10.
Commissioner Balabon inquires if the Arena Commission should meet more
frequently now?
Commissioner Westgaard states it should be discussed what happens with the Arena
Commission now that there will be a turf space, a retail space and a senior center in
addition to the rinks.
Arena Manager Czech agrees to set up a meeting with City Administrator Cal
Portner to discuss.
I 0. Announcements
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