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National Sports Center seeks bonding to fix $78 million deferred maintenance, replace obsolete rink refrigerant
Summary
The Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission told the committee the National Sports Center has about $78 million in deferred maintenance and is requesting state funds to replace obsolete R‑22 refrigeration across eight sheets of ice and to support other critical repairs and accessibility upgrades.
Todd Johnson, executive director of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, and Neil Ladd, deputy executive director for the National Sports Center, asked the Capital Investment Committee for state capital funding to address extensive deferred maintenance at the 700‑acre sports campus.
The commission said the facility’s replacement value is roughly $205,000,000 and that $78,000,000 sits in the deferred‑maintenance category of the Department of Administration facilities assessment. Ladd said the ice arena complex alone has a $66,000,000 replacement value and about $40,000,000 in deferred maintenance.
The commission’s original asset preservation request was $23,350,000, focused in part on replacing obsolete R‑22 refrigerant that serves the eight ice sheets. Ladd said a full changeout from R‑22 to an ammonia refrigeration system would cost about $7,000,000. Johnson described the facility as a statewide economic asset, citing roughly $90,000,000 in annual economic impact from events and a signature USA Cup tournament that he said produces about $34,000,000 in economic activity.
Johnson and Ladd also described plans to improve accessibility for sled hockey and adaptive events if funding is available, and they said the commission would welcome steady funding sources that would help keep the facility affordable for users. Johnson noted the governor includes about $900,000 for the “Mighty Ducks” program in the capital request, which the commission said would be rapidly distributed to address local needs.
Why it matters: The National Sports Center hosts year‑round ice and soccer programming that brings teams and visitors from across the country and world; officials said the facility supports tourism and local business activity and requires capital investment to continue operations.
Next steps: The commission asked the committee to consider the request in the bonding process; no vote occurred Feb. 18.
