6.0. EDSR 02-14-1994 - Laserfiche WebLink

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AGENDA ITEM NO. 6 Meeting of the Elk River Cit}'Council January 17, 1994 Page 3 4. Civic Center Committee Update Jeff Gongoll, Chair of the Civic Center Committee, was present to update the City Council on the status of the Committee's efforts to see a hockey arena and civic center built in Elk River. Other Committee members present included Councilmember Farber, Dave Taus, Marly Glines, and Dale Matson. Jeff indicated that the Committee is concentrating on the ice arena aspect of the civic center at this time, but that it has not lost sight of the need for a civic center in Elk River. The current plan calls for the ice arena to be separated from the civic center and in a different location rather than adjacent to City Hall. The location for the proposed ice arena is next to the current ice facility where the two outdoor ice rinks are located. Jeff emphasized that the ice arena would have hockey as its primary use, but that the facility is still a multi-use building where other activities could take place. Jeff reviewed with the City Council the memo he included in the agenda packet. It was indicated that this information was also given to the School Board at its 1/11/94 meeting. The proposed site for the facility is on school property and school approval for the use of the land is required. The proposal calls for the • facility to be owned and operated by the City or the Economic Development Authority (EDA). Currently the ice facility has a full time employee for management of the arena and scheduling of activities. The need for a full time employee is expected to be continued with an additional facility being constructed. Jeff indicated that a financial feasibility study would have to be done in order to determine if the new facility could be operated debt free. It is believed by the Committee that this is the case, especially when taking into consideration that the current ice facility will make its last bond obligations in 1995 and that revenue from this original facility can help pay the debt of the new building. It is estimated that an olympic size skating rink with 2500 seats would have a construction cost of approximately$3 million. Jeff indicated that he would be in attendance at the 1/31/94 joint City Council/School Board meeting to facilitate any discussion on this topic. Also, Jeff will request that the EDA put this issue on its 2/14/94 agenda in order to consider the request to have the financial feasibility study completed. The Mayor thanked Jeff for his presentation and indicated the City's support for improving the hockey facilities in Elk River. The Mayor also indicated a concern over the operating expenses and debt obligation of a new facility and stated that continued strong support from the Hockey Association would be necessary for this proposal to be successful. •