10/21/2007 3:45:00 PM Ice arena has cool reception
Moderator Chris StaLPes of the Becker Big Lake Ice Arena Association listens closely to comments from members of the audience. Financial issues and location seem to be a sticking point for the Becker City Council. (Photo by Dave DeMars.)
By Dave DeMars Staff Writer
About 25 people were in attendance when members of the Becker Big Lake Ice Arena Association (BBLIAA) met at Becker City Hall Tuesday.
The meeting was to present a possible financing formula and move the group a step closer to getting the proposed ice arena built and also to secure some sponsorship for the concept of an ice arena.
The BBLIAA control a five acre property on the eastern edge of Big Lake where the arena could be built. Cost of building the arena was estimated at $5 million dollars. The arena would seat about 500 people and be about 30,000 square feet.
This year the City of Big Lake has about 130 skaters that would be serviced, and that does not include the high school skaters. It's estimated that the arena would draw about 65,000 people/year to the the area who would need to eat, skate, be housed, and purchase goods in the area.
The association's plans called for splitting the cost of construction among five stakeholders - the City of Big Lake, Big Lake Township, the City of Becker, Becker Township and itself. Costs would be divided as follows: $1 million paid by the Association, $2,284,612 paid by Big Lake City and Township, $715, 387 paid by City of Becker and Becker Township.
The division was made in that manner because of the location of the arena.
Chris Stalpes, president of the association, was quick to point out that the proposal was only one scenario and that other financing and management arrangements could be looked at. Management of the arena would be done by a non-profit management board who would be responsible for the operation, liability and insurance.
During discussions the idea of the county building the arena was advanced, but the audience was told that the county did not want to own or manage the arena. What they might be willing to provide was a site in Becker on the land donated for Oak Savannah, the fairgrounds and Historical Society.
The group has not approached the school boards or township boards for support.
Once the presentation was finished there were questions and comments from the audience.
Joe Rudberg, Becker City administrator, allowed as how the goal was a good one, but it would be a very tough task for the City of Becker to commit to the arena idea.
"We have some serious financial issues to deal with," Rudberg said.
"We have to cut $215,000 this year and more in the future. We have no room to spend extra money. We are losing value in Becker."
Council Member Phil Knutson commented that it would be difficult to sell the idea to the community with the arena located on the far side of Big Lake away from Becker.
Other council members agreed that it would be a hard sell to the citizens of Becker with the arena located on the far side of Big Lake.
"What's the benefit to Becker?" one of them asked. Staples asked whether a more central location would help sell the concept.
Rudberg replied by asking what the priorities are for the city. "I don't think it will be hockey. I'm hoping not to lay off city employees, but it may come to that."
Staples asked whether it would be possible for the council to discuss some options and then give some feedback.
Another member of the audience allowed that while the arena is something that may have some good points, it's not likely to gain much support from the school district. From the school's perspective, this is a community thing. And the district may have some financial issues as well. The fastest growing program in schools is soccer.
The Becker City Council agreed informally to discuss the concept further Nov. 5, at 7:30 and get back to the association with feed back. The meeting broke up about 8 p.m.
