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New ice arena proposed
Published Tuesday, September 18, 2007
The cost of maintaining the city’s ice arena will be weighed against the cost of building a new facility along with the middle school. A $6,000 feasibility study to answer the question was approved Monday by the Fergus Falls City Council.
The proposal was prompted by anticipated cost increases for maintaining the ice arena located on the fairgrounds, City Engineer Dan Edwards said.
An examination of the building structure and interior, mechanical and electrical systems and code compliance determined it would take about $3 million to extend the life of the arena and provide system upgrades. The assessment was conducted in May 2006, at the city’s request, by YHR Partners, Moorhead, as part of the city’s facility maintenance program.
With those cost figures in mind, the Fergus Falls Hockey Association requested the city and school board consider the option of constructing a new community ice arena connected to the future middle school building expansion.
A proposal was submitted by ATS and R Architects, Minneapolis, for a feasibility study to estimate costs for a new arena adjacent to the middle school. The study, which would cost approximately $6,000, would be funded by the city since it operates the arena, Edwards said.
The cost of the study will be recovered in the future as part of the overall project cost. If there is no project, it is proposed the study cost be split three ways between the city, school district and hockey association.
“It’s an opportune time to gather information to see if it’s feasible,” Edwards said. “There’s not enough information now to make a presentation.”
Sharing heating and cooling loads between the middle school and an adjoining arena is a plus to be considered, he said.
“I think it’s a very worthwhile project,” Mayor Russ Anderson said.
The study will be completed by Oct. 8 and reviewed at the Oct. 11 public works committee meeting.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by FungusAmugus (anonymous) on September 18, 2007 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
How can the city even look at this when there is no money to open and maintain the outdoor rinks and other parks like the beach?
Let alone upkeeping the present rink!
Posted by OhYou (anonymous) on September 18, 2007 at 5:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it would be great to give the kids what they need. I also think it would be great if their parents, and working adults in general, could make a decent wage in this town.
Posted by misadventurer (anonymous) on September 19, 2007 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I recall a contention made by Mark Masten during a public forum about the first school facilities sales job under Supt. Duncan. The taxpayers were being asked to build a new high school yada yada because the current schools were substandard etc. When the idea of rebuilding the high/middle school on their current site was raised, Mr. Masten was adamant that the State Board wouldn't allow it because the site was too small......not enough "green space". Now that the buildings are being rebuilt on the purported "too small" site, they want to pack more on?
Oh, one more thing.......it seems strange to me that I need to try to keep my middle schooler reminded to switch his parent provided towel for a clean parent provided towel since the funds aren't there to launder PE towels anymore.
Posted by yepUbetchya (anonymous) on September 19, 2007 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
$6,000 for a feasibility study???? WHAT? I either went blind or stupid. If the city has $6,000 to throw away, maybe it should consider spending it on public works or park and rec. I think anyone in the city can see the writing on this wall. This is about the worst spent money yet by a do-nothing city council. No, wait maybe that was the aquatic's task force - 2 years and still no opinion or decision on a pool. How hard is it to make a motion, open it for discussion, then vote on it.
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