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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />Monday, July 22, 2019 <br />7:00 o'clock p.m. <br />12. MUNICIPAL ICE RINKS <br />Edwards stated he is looking for direction on the disposition of the City's ice rinks. Last year the Council <br />provided direction to add an ice rink to Crystal Bay Park, which was done. At the same time, the Council <br />also directed that the Park Commission review the ice rinks in the City. <br />Since that time, Staff has performed a winter activity survey. At the last Park Commission meeting, they <br />voted to recommend that the City not take on any new ice rinks but continue to maintain the Casco Point <br />ice rink. <br />Staff recommends closing all of the City's ice rinks and shifting resources to other winter activities. If the <br />Council wishes to continue providing skating at Casco Point or any other park, the rinks should be <br />upgraded with lighting in order to allow for use during the week and not just on the weekends. <br />Walsh noted he attended the Park Commission meeting and it was pointed out that Casco Point is <br />dedicated as an ice rink and that he would agree with the lighting for that area since Casco Point is kind of <br />a gathering point for the residents of that neighborhood. <br />Johnson stated what is missing is a private/public partnership in this situation. If the hockey associations <br />do not have a need for the extra ice rink space, it may not be necessary to have the additional ice rinks. <br />At the present time Tonka Bay is being used all the time and that rink has lights that can turn on and off <br />and the hockey team practices there. Johnson indicated he is in favor of improving the Casco Point ice <br />rink and that perhaps the Park Commission could reach out to the hockey association to see if they are <br />interested in partnering with the City. <br />Crosby stated the problem last year was the horrible winter. <br />Johnson stated his observation was that Crystal Bay was more of a backyard rink than a municipal rink <br />and in his view the City can do better than that. Johnson indicated he is in favor of improving the Casco <br />Point rink and that he would like to see some lights in there. Johnson stated the City should do a really <br />good job at one ice rink and see how it goes. <br />Walsh noted the Park Commission is also trying to bring sledding to the golf course and directing <br />resources there. Walsh indicated he would be in favor of upgrading the ice rink at Casco Point and <br />pausing on the ice rink at Crystal Bay. <br />Edwards stated last year the Orono Hockey Association did reach out to the City on partnering and Staff <br />said that they were sure the City would entertain that possibility. <br />Walsh commented it would make sense for the Park Commission to deal with that and that the City kind <br />of jumped at this quickly last year. Going forward, the Parks Commission could keep track of it and <br />reach out to the hockey association. <br />Johnson noted the City received a grant for Bederwood last year and asked whether there is going to be an <br />ice rink as part of that project. <br />Seals indicated it will be a soccer field. <br />Page 7 of 10 <br />