County staff propose short‑term repairs and grant application support to keep Wausau ice arena operating

County staff recommended a short‑term repair plan Thursday to keep ice available next season at the aging Marathon Park arena and asked the board to authorize a non‑binding letter of commitment required for one federal grant application.

Jamie (Parks Department staff) told the county board the parks team previously secured a $300,000 planning grant to study a safe room and feasibility within an arena reconstruction. Staff are seeking permission to include a letter of commitment for a Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant application; Jamie described BRIC as a federal program that can fund resilient construction but requires a local match. “The grant, if awarded, is a 75/25 match,” Jamie said, describing the county’s share as 25 percent which could be levy, in‑kind donations or other funding sources if the grant is accepted.

Separately, parks staff presented a short‑term repair package that aims to be flexible if the board later decides on a different long‑term path (repair, replace, or leave the ice business). The plan centers on buying a modular refrigeration “mat” system that sits on top of the existing floor to restore reliable ice without ripping the concrete slab out, targeted repairs to the concrete and associated components, and consideration of a new cooling tower and dehumidification work. Jamie said the mat option preserves resale or reuse value if the county ultimately decides to move to a new facility.

Why it matters: the county operates two rink sheets used by youth hockey, figure skating, high schools and adult teams. Parks staff and several supervisors stressed that losing ice would displace many teams and tournaments: “If we do not have ice for the next year … our youth wouldn’t be able to find time anywhere,” Jamie said. Supporters described economic spillovers from tournaments and events, while some supervisors urged greater user contribution.

Costs and funding questions: the short‑term package presented to the board totals about $940,000 in staff materials; components can be phased. Jamie said the BRIC construction grant application requires a county letter indicating the county would support the larger project and meet any 25 percent match if awarded; the letter itself does not obligate the board to build. Supervisor Marshall noted that the county currently subsidizes arena operations (Jamie provided an operational subsidy figure that was characterized as the county covering roughly 29% of operating costs in the feasibility material). Several supervisors asked staff to pursue alternative funding such as higher user fees, sponsorships, and targeted fundraising from local organizations and teams.

Board response and next steps: Park Commission and Human Resources/Finance & Property committees moved the short‑term strategy forward to the full board for consideration. Staff said they will provide additional breakdowns of costs, possible fundraising targets, and options to change fee schedules. No formal appropriation was completed at the educational meeting; any funding decision is scheduled for the upcoming Tuesday board meeting.

Ending: staff will return with more precise cost breakdowns, options for user fee changes, and information on fundraising and grant timelines; the board will consider a formal appropriation and the BRIC letter at its next business meeting.