10-10-2017 ICE MIN
Meeting of the Arena Commission
Held at the Elk River City Hall
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Members Present: Chair Givens, Vice Chair Balabon, Commissioners Ballenger,
Cunningham, Madsen, Sagan
Members Absent: Westgaard
Staff Present: Arena Manager Rich Czech, Arena Assistant Laura Estby, City
Administrator Cal Portner.
1. Call Meeting to Order
Pursuant to due call and notice thereof, the meeting of the Ice Arena Commission
was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by Chair Givens.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Recited by Commission Members, Staff, and public.
3. General Business
3.1 Arena remodeling update
Arena Manager Czech notes the City Council approved moving forward with the
remodeling project. Staff met with the architect today to make sure that everything
that needs to be part of the building is in place.
City Administrator Cal Portner reviewed how the process has gone so far from the
failed referendum to the present. He adds the 292 Group was chosen to develop the
architectural plans for the remodel. The projected cost is $20-$25 Million. There will
need to be some land swapping and collaboration with the school district. He adds
the city is shooting for a tax increase of less than $100/year. The renovation also
leaves room for a third sheet, which in the current day’s cost would be about $4
Million. There will also be meeting rooms, and the possibility of a pro shop. The
Olympic Rink will become NHL size and would become the secondary rink. The
current “Barn” rink will be demolished and a new premiere rink built in it’s place. It
will mean an infringement on the current High School tennis courts and softball
field. He adds there has been discussion of demolishing part of Lion’s Park Center
and adding softball fields there. The 292 Group will be bringing back phasing
options in the coming weeks – with a projected start for demolition on the “Barn” in
April of 2018. The new sheet is projected to be completed in January of 2019. The
refurbishment of the current “Olympic” sheet will then begin with a projected end
date of June 2019. He adds during the summer months, there may not be any ice;
and a portion of the 2018 – 2019 season will only have one sheet with limited access
due to construction vehicles/materials. The “Olympic” locker rooms may be in
question as well.
Arena Commission Minutes Page 2
October 10, 2017
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Chair DeAnn Givens inquires how soon they will know about ice availability in the
summer.
Portner responds within the next 2 months if not sooner, and adds that the City
Council will be approving a construction manager on Monday.
Elk River Youth Hockey President Kelli Swart inquires if their organization should
begin looking for winter ice for the 2018 - 2019 season.
Porter replies he would recommend that.
Chair Givens asks if there will be morning ice available.
Arena Manager Czech notes there will be morning ice available and he suspects it
will get used more than it is currently. He also adds after the renovation, both rinks
will be climate controlled.
Youth Hockey President Kelli Swart inquires if the City will continue to run it’s
programs when the arena is down to one sheet.
City Administrator Cal Portner replies it has not been discussed yet, but he suspects
the city programs could be on hold for a year.
Chair Givens inquires what the city needs from the user groups.
Portner replies the groups had given their feedback when there was the potential for
a new facility, so he didn’t know to what degree any additional suggestions would be
needed.
Commissioner Mike Cunningham adds he will do his best to have as many high
school home games scheduled on Saturday as possible.
Chair Givens asks about financial contributions from the user groups.
Portner responds not at this point. The Arena is a community amenity, and the City
is improving an asset that they own. He adds unlike other sports, the Arena’s
usergroups have been contributing all along with ice fees.
Commissioner Cunningham leaves at 6:34 p.m.
Youth Hockey President Swart inquires as to when they will know how much ice
they will have.
Arena Manager Czech replies the school district usually has a feel for the schedule by
January. From that point on, it will need to be balanced so that everyone feels the
pain equally.
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October 10, 2017
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Portner adds it is a safe bet to assume that they will lose half of their ice.
Arena Manager Czech adds open skating times can be trimmed as well.
Swart replies they will attempt to have as many away games as possible, and asks if
youth hockey will still be able to have their tournaments?
Czech replies they may have to be smaller, but they should still be able to happen.
Swart inquires about what level of involvement Elk River Youth Hockey should
have in the renovation process.
City Administrator Cal Portner notes their input had been gathered with the task
force previously. He said they may ask for input closer to the end of the project, and
that they are going to move through the process quickly.
Commissioner Balabon inquires about a third ice sheet.
Portner replies the city will not be building three sheets at this point, but the
compressors will be oversized and plumbing will be ready. It would be a lower
amenity sheet – that may be able to be finished sooner with fundraising from the
usergroups.
Commissioner Ballenger inquires about additional Arena Commission meetings since
the next regularly scheduled one is in April.
Portner states he doesn’t see the need to do anything differently, and that he is
unsure if the Arena Commission will still be needed when the project is complete.
Elk River Youth Hockey President Kelli Swart asks about the start of the project, i.e.
if The City is unable to start demolition in April, would they wait until September?
City Administrator Cal Portner responds he is unsure as the decision involves the
collaboration with the school district as well. He adds the meeting with the
architects next week will get into phasing options as there are a lot of logistics – it
may be possible that nothing will happen until school is out.
Chair DeAnn Givens notes there are not coach’s rooms on the 292 Group’s plans
that are included in the special meeting packet.
Arena Manager Czech notes he believes the idea was to incorporate that into the
space that is assigned for each group. (Elk River Figure Skating Club and Elk River
Youth Hockey).
Portner adds the Arena Commission can call special meetings if they feel the need.
Arena Commission Minutes Page 4
October 10, 2017
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4. Date of next Arena Commission Meeting
April 17, 2018
12. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned by Chair Givens at 6:51 p.m.
Minutes prepared by Laura Estby
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DeAnn Givens, Chair
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Tina Allard, City Clerk