5. - 12. ICESR Laserfiche: '2. ICE AGENDA 04-05-2005

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N.c~,.~ 10 . ~~~~~ ~. October 12, 2004 Mr. Pat Klaers, City Administrator City of Elk River 13065 Orono Parkway Elk River, MN 55330 Re: Activity Center/Bond Referendum Dear Mr. Klaers, It is my understanding that the Arena Commission held a special meeting on September 28m to view a presentation by Mr. John Barth, Elk River High School Athletic Director, regarding the proposed activity center and ice arena which are the subject of a bond referendum in November. Following the presentation, the Arena Commission took a position recommending support of the proposed activity center, to the City of Elk River. Thereafter, as president of Elk River Youth Hockey, our commission members with the request that we support the bond referendum in order to ensure its passage contacted me. This is a very interesting proposal. From what I understand, as part of the request by the School District, they have proposed taking over all costs associated with capital improvements to the e~sting ice arena, along with assuming the arena's outstanding debt. As a consequence, the ice arena will be self-sustaining, if not an actual moneymaker for the City. The bond referendum will be a very close vote, with its success dependant on the citizens of Elk River, Ramsey and Zimmerman. These same areas of the community participate in the Elk River Youth Hockey programs. The Elk River Hockey Association would like to be a part of this process, assisting with the passage of the bond referendum allowing the project to move forward. In doing so, Elk River Youth Hockey would like the City to take into consideration the financial realities that youth hockey has faced and will continue to face in the future. Elk River Youth Hockey relies heavily on charitable contributions from fund-raising and pull-tab sales (McCoy's Pub, formally Old Town Tavern). Our community, like many others, is saturated with fond-raising activities and only so much can be raised. Pull-tab sales have decreased dramatically over the past five years. During this period we have had to face an annual reduction in pull-tab contributions in the amount of $10,000. This translates into a $50,000 reduction in annnal contributions compared to five years ago. This financial hardship falls directly on the families of Elk River Youth Hockey. Elk River Youth Harkey has attempted for years to make the arena concession stand profitable, therefore taking some financial burden off our membership. A study of the costs and revenues for the concession stand over the past three years shows a net gain to Elk River Youth Hockey of zero. All of our profits are spent on rent and operating costs. 1000 SCHOOL STREET N.W. • P.O. BOX 193 • ELK RIVER, MN 55330