1/7/2007 8:51:00 AM Ice arena proposed for new fairgrounds site
BBLIA President
Chris Stalpes
By Ken Francis Staff Writer
Plans by the Becker/Big Lake Ice Association (BBLIA) to build a hockey arena now include a new option - partnering with the county for a facility at the Oak Savanna Park in Becker.
Tuesday, BBLIA president Chris Stalpes asked the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners to consider the possibility of building an ice arena as part of the proposed fairgrounds complex at the Oak Savanna.
Stalpes said the association is already considering other options. They own five acres in the Big Lake Marketplace, and the City of Big Lake is proposing an athletic complex near Hwy. 25 and Airport Road that could include an ice arena.
The county is in the process of doing a feasibility study on moving the fairgrounds from Elk River to Becker. Part of the study includes finding ways to make the fairgrounds economically viable by making it a multi-use site that can bring in revenue year-round.
Stalpes said if the county built and owned the arena, the BBLIA would be responsible for managing the facility. He said historically, 90% of ice arenas built by local government do not make money or break even.
"They (government) have large staffs. Staffs cost money and have pensions and benefits," he said. "Of the other 10% run by ice associations, some are at least breaking even and some are actually slightly making money."
He said they have smaller staffs with just a few full-time employees and a lot of volunteers.
"What we're proposing to the county is, the county builds an arena and the ice association will run it for the county," he said. "We will have a commissioner on our board. We're looking for the path of least resistance."
Stalpes presented a report showing building and operational costs and potential revenues generated by ice rental and concessions.
The estimated cost of a 30,000 sq. ft. arena with a seating capacity of 500-700 is $3.5 to $4.5 million. The proposal shows $1 million raised by area businesses and personal contributions, $1 million in debt service assumed by the ice association and $2-3 million contributed by state and local government through grants and bonds.
The report proposes other options for the facility, including car shows, craft shows, indoor soccer, figure skating and lacrosse. The report shows the facility losing money the first two years before climbing into the black in the third year.
Stalpes said the facility could generate more revenues as more people use the facility. But the ice association is having trouble growing with no arena to call home.
"The biggest problem we face as an organization is numbers," he said. "We currently have 130 kids, but each year there's about 20 families who decide not to join because they find out they have to travel to St. Cloud to practice and for games."
Administrator Brian Bensen said other counties have built ice arenas as part of their multi-use facilities.
"It's one of the things county fairs are doing," he said. "We're not proposing it, but it's certainly one of the possibilities."
He said the county fair feasibility study should be done in one to two months.
