11/3/2007 1:32:00 PM Hockey group solicits township
BIG LAKE HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS raised $1,440 by paying to wear a hat to school for fellow student Jess Porter who has been diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Jess came to school Friday to receive the gift, along with a poster created by Valerie Holm of all his classmates wearing hats. Pictured seated are Josh Atencio, Jess, and Principal Mark Canton, who made the presentation. Standing (left to right), are Jenny Curtis, Holly Wrzos, Ryan Ganner, Marissa Porter, Amber Pierce and Cody Stevens. (Photo by Jennifer Edwards).
By Lynn Woolhouse Staff Writer
Big Lake Township was presented with the option to help with a new ice arena last week at their regular meeting.
Chris Stalpes of the Becker-Big Lake Hockey Association presented the finance plan to the board, leaving the board to question of whether or not to join in.
"We are losing money from having to travel to other ice arenas," said Stalpes.
The non-profit ice arena is planned to be managed by an arena board taking care of the operations, liability and association.
Working with Blaine Ice Arena in the planning, the Big Lake arena would follow a similar management plan and would work with Blaine in the beginning of their ice arena opening.
"We want to encourage the township to become involved," said Stalpes.
While the hockey association is affiliated with Becker, the City of Becker is presently skeptical of the plans as a result of the location.
It is proposed to be located in the Big Lake Marketplace. Becker voiced disapproval of affiliating themselves in the finances due to the distance the arena would be from Becker.
"Their initial opinion is they don't want to put money into something that's on the other side of Big Lake," he said to the township board.
"The land is already paid for, we own it," says Stalpes. But the association still needs $5,000,000 for the actual building, he said.
The association is, looking at receiving a possible $1,000,000 from debt service, possible bonds received, $1,000,000 raised or contributed and $3,000,000 in state funds.
The Becker-Big Lake Hockey team currently travels to Princeton and St.Cloud for practice. The new arena would provide more ice time and availability for the hockey team.
Big Lake township vice-president Larry Alfords was concerned over the amount of time the arena would be used.
"Would we only be using it 568 hours a year?" he asked as he calculated JV and Varsity practice hours.
"The arena will get used," assured association member Kent Vickerman.
Ice time will vary by season time," explained Stalpes. "But we need to look at future possibilities of the ice arena."
"Try to think of it as more than a hockey arena, but an ice arena," said Stalpes. "There is open ice time and possible figure skating."
In hopes of the Big Lake township becoming a part of the ice arena plan, the association extended an invitation to an informational workshop about the project Nov. 7.
"We want to give you a chance to look into what we have planned."
A tentative timeline for the ice arena is for 2007-2008 conclude architectural decisions. Start building construction in 2009; between Sept. and Oct. of 2009 to open the doors.
The board said they would look into the ice arena possibilities and the association planned to return at a future date to the township.
