7.1 SUPERINTENDENT'S REPORT4--FURNITURE
-AND-
THINGS
To: Multipurpose Facility Advisory Commission
From: Tim Dalton, Multipurpose Facility Superintendent
Date: February 12, 2024
Subject: Superintendent's Update
Memorandum
Skate with Santa
Our annual Skate with Santa event on Dec. 10, 2023, was very well attended, 382 pounds of food was collected and donated to
the CAER Food shelf.
ERYHA 2023-24 Outdoor Rink Lease
After reviewing several sites within the city and school district, ERYHA asked to place a temporary outdoor rink on the west
side of the FT Center. A lease was drafted for the location that included a $2000 payment. All costs associated with the rink are
the responsibility of ERYHA. ERYHA is also responsible for removal of the rink at the end of the season and any costs to
restore the site to its original condition. Unfortunately, the weather was not favorable for outdoor ice this season and the rink
was only used sparingly. The future of the outdoor rink and potential locations will be reviewed in the off season.
Future Outdoor Rink
ISD 728 has expressed interest in partnering with the city to develop a lease agreement for use of their practice field to the north
of the FT Center. This parcel would then be sublet to Elk River Youth Hockey for the purposes of an outdoor hockey rink.
This idea will be explored for the winter of 2024-25.
Staff Leaves
Facility Maintenance Manager, Rich Czech was on leave November 17-26, he is also currently on a leave that began January 20.
Facility staff have performed Rich's duties quite admirably. I want to recognize these members of our team, Jeff Shelby, Tony
Seibert, and Laura Estby, for all their efforts to keep the facility fully operational, maintained, and clean during these periods.
Natalie Anderson, Senior Activities Coordinator has been on a medical leave since late December. FT Center Staff and Park and
Recreation staff have stepped in help to fulfill Natalies duties in her absence. Senior Activity Center Program Assistant, Kristin
Gilbertson has done a great job working through the day-to-day operations and preparations for Senior Programs. Parks and
Recreation Manger, Michael Hecker, has contributed to several of the senior programs in Natalie's absence as well.
Billy Hunter Resignation
Assistant Facility Supervisor, Billy Hunter, resigned and his last day with the FT Center was January 13, 2023. Billy is relocating
to Fargo ND to work in community engagement for the City of Fargo. Staff will miss Billy's ideas and enthusiasm; we wish him
continued success in his new venture.
FT Center Reserved Parkin
Since winter break student parking has become quite troublesome. Staff towed the first vehicle of the 23-24 school year on
Thursday, February 8, 2024. To safeguard the reserved spots for FT Center users, staff are distributing informational flyers on
vehicles indicating the lot is for FT Center users only. The next step is issuing violation tickets. These explain their vehicle's
license number was recorded and any future violations will result in the vehicle being towed at the owner's expense. Our protocol
is to issue two violation tickets prior to having the vehicle towed. Parking is becoming a significant issue during the daytime
hours. Increased participation at the Senior Activity Center, free walking program users, additional daytime facility rentals, more
patrons utilizing our lease space businesses, and increased daytime ice programs, are all increasing demand for the FT Center
reserved spaces (Q'IY 80). Staff are hearing more concerns from building users on the lack of parking space and staff has been
strongly enforcing our policy procedures.
Feedback from Rental Users
We received some very positive feedback from Trimark, who rented the FT Center community room for a daylong job fair. It
looks like they met their hiring targets through the event and the Trimark team was extremely complimentary of the center, and
how well it worked for their event. I have also included a couple of emails from recent rental space users.
Birthday Party Packages
We launched a variety of FT Center birthday party packages in January. The reception has been quite encouraging, with many
inquiries and a high level of interest. Since the launch of the packages, we have booked twelve turf birthday partis and four ice
birthday parties.
New FT Center Website
We recently launched a new web page for the FT Center, we believe the new format will bring our web presence to a new level.
MyFTCenter.com
Summer Ice
In the fall of 2023, it became apparent the demand for summer indoor ice had risen to the level making it financially advantageous
to operate both sheets of ice throughout the summer. Budgetary goals were set to sell an additional 200 hours of offseason ice
and significant efforts were made by staff to sell those added hours. Happily, ice bookings quickly exceeded the 200-hour mark!
Later, some opportunities that aligned with our facility mission came to us, the premier event being the Taste of Elk River,
hosted by the Elk River Rotary. To accommodate these dry floor opportunities, we revised the schedule for summer ice in
Cornerstone for a few weeks in August. By this point, we had committed one of the two planned ice sheets to a new ice sale
opportunity. Most of these scheduling challenges caused by the reduction to one sheet were able to be resolved with relative
ease. However, August 5-9 involves some particularly challenging scheduling issues impacting Two Brothers Hockey due to
their interest in summer ice. Joe is meeting with Two Brothers and Showdown Sports on Monday, February 12 to review August
ice programming and consider mutually beneficial options for all parties involved.
High School Hockey Section Games
The FT Center is hosting several Boys Varsity Hockey Section Playoff Games. These playoff games fall into two categories:
1. Potential home site Sections 8AA playoff games for our Elk River Boys Team. (The Elk River Girls did not qualify to
host a home playoff game this season).
2. Section 5A and 5AA contracted with the FT Center to host their neutral site playoff events. Staff will have a presentation
outlining the preparations made for these events.
Potential Boys Hockey Section Games Estimated Attendance
8AA Tuesday, February 20, 2024 7:OOpm Possible Home Site Quarterfinal 800
5AA Saturday, February 24, 2024 12:OOpm Confirmed semifinal game 1200
5AA or 8AA Saturday, February 24, 2024 4:OOpm Confirmed semifinal game 1200
5AA Boys Saturday, February 24, 2024 8:OOpm Possible semifinal game 1200
NOTE: If hosting an 8AA Semi on 2/24, we'll have games at 12p, 4p, & 8p — if not we have two 5AA semis (12p & 4 or 5p)
5A Boys Wednesday, February 28, 2024 7:OOpm
5AA Boys Thursday, February 29, 2024 7:OOpm
Confirmed Final Game 1200
Confirmed Final Game 2900
*A maximum of 3,000 tickets will be sold for any of these events to ensure the safety of the building while at full capacity.
patty Rao�s
Located on the first floor across from Kiser
Arena, our two party rooms are great for small
birthday parties or events. You can either rent
one or both.
• Tables and chairs for 20 people per room included
• Includes internet access, mounted TV (west room
only), microphone port, counter area with sink,
laminate flooring, large window with adjustable
blinds, and dimmable lights
• Residents: $50 per hour
• Non-residents: $58 per hour
Flex space
Located on the first floor near our Field House,
the Flex Space is a great option for parties,
events, bridal/baby showers, and more.
• Tables and chairs for 48 people included
• Includes internet access, mounted TV,
microphone port, counter area with sink,
carpeted floors, large window with adjustable
blinds, and dimmable lights
• Residents: $100 per hour
• Non-residents: $115 per hour
MW
THINGS
ElkRiverMN.gov/RoomRentals
PH+ 763.635.4500
FTCenter@ElkRiverMN.gov
BIRTHDAY
PACKAGES
Make youv birthday
party a b/ard
9 � 0
cah kere to
FURNITURE
AND
THINGS
1000 SCHOOL ST NW,
ELK RIVER, MN 55330
1000 SCHOOL ST NW, ELK RIVER, MN 55330
763.635.4500
Ice Party package
Does your child love to be on the ice?
Choose this birthday package, which includes
open skating and a private party room for food,
cake, and presents.
Visit E/kRiverMN.gov/Skating for available hours.
Parties of 12 and Under: $175 Savings of $30
• Two hours of rental time in one party room
• Tables and chairs for 12 people included
• Admission to Open Skate or Stick and Puck Open
Skate for 12 people
• 12 free skate rentals
Parties of 13-20 people: $225 Savings of $45
• Two hours of rental time in one party room
• Tables and chairs for 20 people included
• Open Skating or Stick and Puck costs for
20 people included
• 20 free skate rentals
Looking to have the ice for yourself?
Rent one of our ice sheets for your party!
You will have the arena to yourself, 2 locker rooms
for changing, and a 1 hour party room rental
with tables and chairs for 20 people included.
Hourly rates range from $225/$280
i
Tuv Marty Package
Our turf Field House is the perfect place for a
birthday party and allows kids to run around
and play, and with 30,000 square feet of turf,
they will have plenty of space. We'll set up
tables and chairs for food and gifts on the side.
Parties of up to 20 people: $150
• Include two hours of half Field House rental
• Tables and chairs for 20 people
• Up to 3 batting cages available upon request
for North End turf parties
(No pitching machines or L screens available)
*Additional tables/chairs can be added for a fee
Party Fvod Package
Add food on to your rental for just $40,
when you use code: FTCenter at the
Elk River Papa Johns.
• 3 large,1 topping pizzas
(cheese, pepperoni, or sausage)
• 2 two -liter sodas (Pepsi options)
• 2 dessert options
(choice of cinnamon sticks or brownies)
• Generic plates, cups, napkins, and eating
utensils for 20 people
*Gluten free option available upon request
P A Use code:
FTCenter
JOHNS at the Elk River
Papa Johns
*FT Center does not coordinate food purchase or delivery
6etiera/IA(0 FOR ALL PARTIES
• Party rooms include a general setup of
table and chairs for 12-20 people
• Please dispose of trash in provided
receptacles and take all personal items
with you. A $25 cleaning fee will be charged
for any trash left behind in the room
• Set up and take down time must be
accounted for in your reservation
• No confetti or glitter allowed
Please use blue tape only for wall decor
• Balloons and flowers are welcome
• Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages
can be brought in for parties under 75 people
Availability can be found at
ElkRiverMN.gov/Room Rentals and varies
depending on the desired space.
*Rates subject to change.
From: Skip Robinson
To: Estbv. Laura
Subject: Re: Follow up to birthday party last weekend
Date: Wednesday, February 07, 2024 1:00:45 PM
Greetings. Everything was fantastic. The field and tables were set up just as expected. The
signage was great and people were able to find us in the fieldhouse. We did speak with one
employee while we were there and he offered to let us use a cart to help bring items in. That
was very helpful. Unfortunately I didn't take a single picture so I don't have anything to share.
It was a great time and I've been letting people know how great it was and how great of a job
your team did.
Thank you so much.
On Wed, Feb 7 2024 at 8:37 AM Estby, Laura <LEstb a.elkrivermn.gov> wrote:
Good Morning Skip!
Just wanted to send you a quick note to see how your party went last weekend and if you
had any feedback on how we can provide better service to our customers.
Also, if you have any photos you would be willing to share for promotional/marketing
purposes, we would be happy to have them.
Have a great week,
Laura
Laura Estby
Customer Service Associate
Furniture and Things Community Event Center
1000 School Street, Elk River, MN 55330
763.635.4500 E1kRiverMN.gov
Skip Robinson
skipdoaa uma� il.com
320-248-2838
From: Kenneth Beaudry
To: Estby. Laura
Subject: Re: Breakfast Club follow up
Date: Wednesday, February 07, 2024 11:07:21 AM
Laura, we are very satisfied with all the service and everything that's going on at the furniture
& things arena. you have a five star rating from us for you and all your staff. It's been going
very very well. Really appreciate you.
Thanks, Ken Beaudry.
On Feb 7, 2024, at 8:38 AM, Estby, Laura <LEstby@elkrivermn.gov> wrote:
Hey Ken!
I know we usually touch base, but I wanted to send an email to make sure everything is
still going ok for the Breakfast Club and to make sure we are getting you everything you
need.
Can you let me know?
Have a great week,
Laura
Laura Estby
Customer Service Associate
Furniture and Things Community Event Center
1000 School Street, Elk River, MN 55330
763.635.4500 ElkRiverMN.gov
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