Members of the Wolfeborough Budget Committee on July 21 asked town staff for a clearer accounting of the town’s payments for ice rental at Pop Whalen and how much revenue the recreation department collects to offset that cost.

Why it matters: The committee noted the town has paid $50,224 so far and plans another $50,000 payment; members want to know how much of that contracted ice time is used for town programs, how much is covered by program revenues and which concessions or enterprise receipts apply. Understanding the revenue side is important for assessing whether the enterprise and recreation budgets are balanced or require additional support from the general fund.

A committee member requested a breakdown of the additional costs of bringing the ice in earlier in the season — specifically estimated incremental energy (electric) costs and staffing differences versus anticipated program revenue. Town staff said such a spreadsheet exists and that they would forward it to the committee and post it on the town web page. Town Manager Jim confirmed the data are maintained by recreation staff and agreed to circulate the report to members.

Committee members asked whether concession revenue and program fees are captured in the enterprise fund or the recreation budget. Staff clarified that concession revenue and enterprise‑fund receipts are accounted for in Pop Whalen’s enterprise fund; programming revenue is handled through the recreation accounts. One member asked staff to provide monthly utilization and revenue reports that show public‑skate, stick‑and‑puck and program rentals so the committee can compare rental payments to actual usage.

What’s next: Town staff (recreation and finance) will provide the committee with the requested spreadsheet and utilization breakouts. The committee asked for documentation showing the breakdown of the $100,000 annual payment and the revenues and expenses tied to the rink’s operation.