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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION <br />MEETING HELD ON JANUARY 16, 1996 <br />( #15 - #2103 Orono Hockey Boosters - Continued) <br />Engebretson said the fund raising has taken twice as long as expected but has been a good <br />effort. The fund is catching up to where it was projected to be at this time. The funds are <br />from private donations but the municipalities and school districts will be asked for <br />donations. Donations and pledges are at 1.3 million with aide of Mound hockey and with <br />continuing with pre - package pledges through a bank, the funds should hit the 2 million <br />dollar mark according to Engebretson. The school district is requiring a demonstratable <br />funding of 90 %, and Engebretson said he sees no problem with meeting that expectation. <br />Schroeder asked when the 901/o mark was expected to be met and was informed by <br />Engebretson, April, 1996. <br />Schroeder also asked the cost of operating. Engebretson said operating would be at <br />$145,000 year with a $100,000 capital reserve. The costs would be recouped through the <br />sale of ice time from 3 high school teams, the Orono program, community activities, skate <br />sharpening and concessions. Engebretson said the revenues are fairly reliable. <br />Hawn asked if the arena would operate on a year round basis. Engebretson said the <br />mechanical equipment is sized for year around use, but the program's budget is based on a <br />6 month ice use. The remaining 6 month use would be for other community uses of the <br />100'x200' concrete floor. The budget expenses are based over a 12 month period with the <br />• budget income over a 6 month period. <br />Lindquist asked if other Olympic size sheets were built recently. Engebretson said the <br />200'x I00' is standard and arenas are being expanded to Olympic size. There is a new <br />Olympic size single sheet in Lakeville, which is comparable, according to Engebretson, but <br />with Orono's being a better design. Engebretson did not know if Lakeville was meeting <br />their budget numbers. <br />Smith asked what the arena would do for the community that was not being done today. <br />Engebretson said the indoor ice would provide ice time that is now not available. <br />Staggering growth in the girls hockey program is one need for the arena. Figuring skating <br />is also a growing interest. With these two programs and the high school hockey, other <br />uses get shut out of ice time. There is no opportunity now for handicap use, and <br />recreational use is disappearing with the large demand for ice from youth and hockey <br />programs. Engebretson said the Orono Boosters could have used 300 additional hours <br />this year. <br />Schroeder inquired about the facility in Delano and whether it was being fully utilized. <br />Engebretson said it was being fully used. There is a half allocation with Mound after the <br />high school and 140 hours with Wayzata. 50 hours were obtained by Blake. All of the ice <br />time has been sold according to Engebretson. He added that past problems for Delano <br />was the heavy debt load and that has been corrected with the high demand for indoor ice. <br />• He noted the cost two years ago was at $90 an hour for ice time and is now at $125/hour, <br />73 <br />