11-14-1994 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Ik t MINUTES OF THE REGULAR ORONO PARK COMMISSION meeting held on OCTOBER 4. 1994 DRAFT (#8 - Hockey Arena Progress Report - Continued) Flint about the economics of the arena. The study shows the cost of the arena at $2,500,000 with a yearly operating cost of SI45,000. The hockey association would be the biggest user of the rink. They, along with the school district, would pay for their ice time. The arena plan calls for one olympic-size sheet of ice, whose use would cany the operating costs of the building but would not contribute toward the cost of its constniction. Ingebritson said that generally, when an arena has a second sheet of ice, it will generate payment of the debt service on the construction debt. Ingebritson relayed the breakdown of user costs as requested by Flint. At SKXVhr ice cost, the rink should reflect a positive cash flow. The projections show 750 hours of use by the hockey association, 280 hours of use through the school’s two varsity teams. 360 hours of figure skating time, 100 hours of prime time skating, and other revenues such as skate sharpening. These are projected funds raised without going outside of Orono. but Wayata and Mound also have expressed their interest in obtaining future ice time. As m example, Ingebritson said that the association is projected to raise $65,000 this year in ice time. Howells asked if the arena will be a year-round facility. Ingebritson said the arena has the capability citing sport events, practices, meetings, etc as possible uses, but plan is for being in operation from October I to March I. The fixed costs shown in their report reflect all year but the revenue calculations are for the six-month ice time only. Hurr inquired about the Pond alternative. Ingebritson said the Mound School District is looking into the buildup's use if an expansion is done but is not as far along in its evaluation. Ingebritson would like to see a cooperative effort with the Park Commission and receive their expertise and input on these issues. A decision will be made by the hockey association next month as to which direction the arena issue should go. Once that decision is made, the plans will be presented to the City Counal. #9) FRENCH CREEK PRESERVE Wilson reported that she, along with several girt scout troops, will conduct a a clean-up as well as building a blind for observation, on Sunday, 10/16/94 at 1:00 p.in. She has met with Gerhardson on obtaining lumber and parts necessary, as well as a picnic t^e or i e prairie area for next spring. It was noted that the guidelines for budding the blind came from the book, "Landscaping for Wildlife." Flint suggested the Council be invited to tins event, and McMillan volunteered to take pictures.