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Rec Hockey urges city to apply for $500,000 state grant to replace Cary Park ice plant
Summary
The International Falls Recreational Hockey Association asked the council to sponsor a grant application that could provide about $500,000 toward a new refrigeration system at Cary Park Arena; estimated replacement costs were described as roughly $1 million.
Representatives of the International Falls Recreational Hockey Association asked the City Council on Aug. 4 to apply for a state grant that would provide up to about $500,000 toward replacing the refrigeration (ice) plant at Cary Park Arena.
Leif Larsen, representing International Falls Recreational Hockey, told the council the current R-22 refrigeration system is outdated and that parts and refrigerant are increasingly unavailable since R-22 was banned for new use. “If we don't have an ice plant, we don't have a hockey program,” Larsen said. He presented the council with a grant packet and said the deadline for submission is Aug. 29.
City staff and councilors said the grant must be submitted by the city as owner of the building and that the council should formally authorize staff to prepare and submit the application. Councilors moved to direct public works staff and administration to pursue the grant application and to present a final submission for council approval at the next regular meeting before Aug. 29; the motion passed unanimously.
Cost context: Larsen and council discussion placed ballpark replacement costs in the range of roughly $1 million to $1.8 million depending on scope; Larsen said the grant would “pump about $500,000 into that project.” Councilor Wagner and others noted additional arena needs beyond the ice plant, and Rec Hockey said it could contribute financially if necessary.
Next steps: Staff will prepare the application, return a final proposal to the council for submission prior to the Aug. 29 deadline, and coordinate any public-works procurement requirements if the project proceeds.
