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Arena Commission Minutes Page 4 <br />April 8, 2014 <br />----------------------------- <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />7.3 Arena Construction <br /> <br />Arena Manager Czech states the Parks and Recreation Department sent out 2500 <br />surveys asking the public their opinions on different parks projects, including a new <br />facility that would include the arena, a senior center, banquet facilities, etc. They <br />needed 450 to come back before they started to process the results and they are <br />there. City Administrator Cal Portner is in the process of putting together an RFP, <br />and it should be done by the end of this week or early next. Czech anticipates it will <br />include information on building at Lion’s Park versus other sites, and notes that <br />there are peat issues on the grounds of Lion’s Park. Czech noted the survey asked <br />about it going to a referendum as part of a master parks plan if the Council decides <br />to move forward. <br /> <br />Commissioner Westgaard inquires about the current Arena and Senior Center <br />properties. <br /> <br />Czech notes that it will be included in the RFP to potentially sell the current <br />properties and use the money towards the project. <br /> <br />Commissioner Westgaard notes it will be interesting to see what value is placed on <br />the properties. <br /> <br />Commissioner Cunningham agrees noting there is a difference between property <br />value and building value and that the current arena site would be a great location for <br />a field house. <br /> <br />Arena Manager Czech states we should know by the end of next week what is in the <br />RFP, and adds that Portner is taking “a different approach” to the project, as we <br />can’t compare our potential new building model to what other communities have <br />done. With regards to the capital improvement projects, Czech notes that updating <br />the refrigeration system is a $2.2-2.4 million project, and if we were to fix everything <br />that needs to be fixed in the current facility we are at $5 million and that wouldn’t <br />even be noticeable fixes to the public. In addition, the cost of construction goes up <br />3-6% each year, so the longer we wait the more expensive it is getting. Czech <br />concludes that the issues are long standing problems that have been put off over the <br />years in part due to the anticipation of a renovation or new facility, and they can’t be <br />put off any longer. <br /> <br />Commissioner Westgaard inquires about how much time we have before the projects <br />need to be done? <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />