2/3/2007 6:21:00 PM Ice association looking at
different options for arena
By Jennifer Edwards Staff Writer
The Becker-Big Lake Ice Association is committed to building an arena in the area and they are willing to guarantee $1 million of the construction costs, Association President Chris Stalpes told the Big Lake City Council last week.
"We are hoping to raise another $1 million from area businesses and personal contributions," Stalpes said. "But we need another $2 to 3 million from local governments in the form of grants and bonds."
The ice association has already stated its case to the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners and the Big Lake Township Board of Supervisors. They plan to make a presentation to City of Becker and Becker Township officials and the State of Minnesota in the near future.
"Our mission is to build, manage and maintain a local indoor ice arena that promotes the development of youth hockey and supports other youth organizations, as well as promoting area economic and social development," Stalpes said.
The proposed 30,000 square -foot, single-sheet arena would seat 500-700 people. It would sit on roughly five acres of land and be designed to accommodate future expansion for a second sheet of ice. It could be used as a multi-functional facility and host craft shows, car shows, indoor soccer and other events. Cost estimate for the project is $3.5-4.5 million.
Purchasing ice time in other communities has become increasingly difficult as their programs have grown, Stalpes said.
"The majority of ice time we purchase is in St. Cloud," Stalpes explained. "Families currently drive two to five times a week to other communities for games and practices, averaging approximately 70 miles per round trip."
Lack of a local arena was a factor during registration for hockey last year. Twenty families decided not to join the program because there is no local arena, he said.
"With the increased demand for ice time, Becker-Big Lake Hockey can't schedule adequate ice time to support the needs of the organization," Stalpes said. "An arena would promote growth and bring dollars back to the local economy."
Stalpes introduced Paul Erickson of the Minnesota Amateur Ice Sports Association.
"Ninety percent of of arenas are built by cities," Erickson said. "Some are built by schools and some are built by counties. This is a favorable proposal for the city, with the ice association taking 25% of the load. Arenas are a pretty standard feature in a community these days, and the association will pay for the operating costs once it is complete. Outdoor rinks are becoming extinct."
"What is your commitment to having the arena in Big Lake?" asked Council Member Lori Kampa.
"We do own property in the Big Lake Marketplace," Stalpes said. "But our commitment is to the association. We are seeking the path of least resistance. We just want to build an arena in the next couple of years, whether it is in Becker or Big Lake or someplace in between."
The county has asked if the association would be willing to consider building the arena on the new fair grounds, Stalpes said.
"We have been talking about building an athletic complex on land we own off of Hwy. 25," said Council Member Heitz. "Would you consider building there too?"
