[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: New Hope Ice Arena

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
New Hope Ice Arena
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1219121931.shtml


   Per [1]Channel 12 News, the [2]New Hope Ice Arena will need
   significant repairs soon.

     Underneath one of the arena's two rinks is a sand and steel
     foundation. It's an outdated system that has held up pretty well
     for more than 30 years, but inevitably, it will soon need to be
     replaced.
     New Hope Mayor Martin Opem, Sr. says it will cost roughly $1.5
     million to update the rink, money the city doesn't have.
     "We don't have the funds to support the sheet of ice," explained
     Opem. "The ideal situation in my mind is that the Youth Hockey
     Association and the 281 School District figure out how to come up
     with the cash for the repair."

   District 281 has been cutting athletics as part of budget crises, so
   Mayor Opem can forget about that.
   What's interesting here is that New Hope likely lured and promoted
   having Armstrong, Cooper (and Robbinsdale?) High School playing there
   when it opened. The city was in its ascendancy and high school hockey
   had just eclipsed high school basketball in popularity. That and the
   supporting youth programs and figure skaters meant that nobody was
   likely worried about money, not enough to escrow for later major
   repairs or replacement.
   The bill has nonetheless come due. Now, those "customers" who did
   indeed make the arena a success are now expected to fork over another
   $1.5 million. Continuing from Channel 12:

     Opem points out that [they] serve seven area cities, yet New Hope
     alone foots the ice arena bill. He says it's a cost New Hope should
     not have to cover alone.

   Really?
   You patronize a theater for years, and the roof finally starts giving
   way. The owner tells you that because of your regular attendance, you
   are now obligated to him to help pay for a new roof. Me, I'd find
   another theater.
   Of course, what will most likely happen is that veteran State Senator
   Ann Rest will slide this into the 2010 bonding bill.

References

   1. http://twelve.tv/news/newsitem.aspx?newsid=405&newsitemid=7073
   2. http://www.ci.new-hope.mn.us/departments/park_rec/ice%20arena%20home.html