INFORMATION #1 02-26-2001ELK RIVER ARENA
1000 SCHOOL STREET
P.O. BOX 720
ELK RIVER, MN 55330
(763) 441 - 2956
FAX * (763) 241 - 9432
To: Arena Commission Members
From: Rich Czech, Arena Manager
Date: February 21, 2001
Subject: Arena Update
In a few weeks the traditional skating season will be completed and spring skating and dry
floor events will be in full swing. With the exception of the Freon leak in the Barn rink
floor, the season went as well as could be expected (Knock on Ice). As soon as the ice is
out in the Barn we will be repairing the floor to get it ready for the summer events. This
will be the sixth time that we have repaired the floor, each time we have found the leak
without loosing any substantial amount of ice hours. The rink is at the end of its expected
life of twenty years, it's just a matter of time before a major leak will occur that could
cause major delays and expenses. We will be keeping a close eye on the fink, however it's
hard to predict when the next leak will occur and where it will be on the rink.
The discussion about adding bleachers to the eastside of the Olympic rink is still a hot
topic. Council member John Dietz has been looking into several different options of how
to finance the bleachers. Along with the bleachers, heat and speakers for the eastside will
need to be figured into the equation.
The Olympic rink will stay open through the Summer. The following are the clinics and
leagues that will be at the Arena this coming Spring and Summer:
Breakaway Hockey League (levels: Mini Mites - Bantams) March 12 - May 12 and
August 10 - October 7~.
Elk River Skating Academy will be conducting classes through out the spring and
summer. The Skating Academy will be having their skating show Friday May 11th and
Saturday, May 12t~.
Barry Hohlen, the Gifts High School Hockey Coach will be conducting a Girls Hockey
Clinic in June and July.
Elk Rivers Arena Skills Plus Hockey School - July 16th - July 23~a.
Vic's Hockey School July 21,t- 24th.
Some of the Spring and Summer dry floor events that we have are our Youth dances,
Spring and Fall Arts and Craft Fair, Elk River Chamber of Commerce Business Expo, and
Jose Cole's Circus.
Next season promises to be an interesting year, it looks like Rogers will separate from Elk
River Youth Hockey to establish their own Youth Hockey Association. They have asked
if we had room for them to rent ice. I have told them if Monticello High School leaves to
go to Buffalo ice would be available. However if they don't ice could be limited. It may
be that Elk River Youth Hockey Associations demand for ice would decrease for the first
few years do to the splitting of the Association leaving some ice available for Rogers.
Becker Big Lake Youth Hockey Association has also approached me in regards to ice
availability. With this added interest in our ice, it will be important that I receive accurate
and timely feed back from our existing customers in regards to the ice time they will need
next season.
If you have any items that you like me to look into before the Spring meeting, please feel
free to give me a call.