Marathon County board approves short-term repairs and funding plan for county ice arena

The Marathon County Board of Supervisors voted March 25 to approve a resolution allocating short-term repairs and funding steps for the county-owned ice arena, a measure proponents said will keep the rink operating while the county and community pursue a permanent solution.

Supervisor Tim Mask, who introduced the item on behalf of the Environmental Resources Committee, said the board reduced the borrowing ask from $940,000 to $690,000 and trimmed scope to focus on immediate repairs. “We reduced the amount of borrowing from 940 down to $690,000,” Mask said, adding that replacement of a large cooling tower and other mechanical work were deferred to a future capital plan.

The resolution, labeled in the meeting packet as resolution 17-25, also was amended to clarify the county’s preferred role in long-term funding. An amendment moved by Supervisor Marshall replaced the phrase “community financial assistance” in a whereas clause with the word “finance,” signaling an expectation that the community would lead future fundraising while not legally precluding county participation.

Parks Director Polly provided operational details about how the county would cover the short-term cost: delaying a previously planned $130,000 fence replacement funded in the capital improvement plan; applying $55,000 from timber-sale excess revenue in both 2025 and 2026; using $2024 timber-sale funds; implementing stepped user-fee increases expected to generate $93,750; and covering the remaining balance from general fund reserves.

Regarding current usage and cost-recovery, Mask said the parks department’s accounting shows about 71% of the building’s costs are covered by user fees and that hockey-related users are covering approximately 93% of facility charges, producing about a $16,000 deficit at the time of the report but with some invoices still outstanding.

Several supervisors described the arena as a community asset and urged support to avoid a sudden closure that would disrupt youth and high-school seasons. “This...is giving life to an old facility that is, you know, beyond its years while we look at that long term fix,” Supervisor Robinson said.

Other board members warned against repeated temporary fixes. Supervisor Hoffa, citing a retired parks employee, said the arena has received recurring “band aid” repairs and urged planning beyond short-term patches. “I really don’t like the band aid idea,” Hoffa said.

The amendment to the resolution passed, and the full resolution as amended carried on a voice/roll-call sequence recorded in the meeting; the chair said the motion carried but was not unanimous. The motion had been made by Supervisor Mask and seconded by Supervisor Poole.

The board’s action does not commit the county to a long-term financing plan; officials said the goal of the amended resolution is to buy time and to prompt community-led discussions and potential fundraising. Parks staff and county finance staff were thanked in the meeting for revising the plan to address concerns raised at an earlier committee meeting.

The board directed that user groups be engaged in follow-up discussions and indicated the county expects to seek more detailed proposals and cost estimates before committing to larger capital projects.

The resolution’s short-term funding mix and the requirement for further planning mean the arena will remain open under county management for now, while the county and community explore finance options for replacement or major renovation.