Marathon County committee backs $940,000 short-term repairs for Wausau ice arena, forwards funding plan to full board

The Marathon County Human Resources, Finance & Property Committee on March 11 recommended that the County Board approve up to $940,000 for short-term repairs and equipment for the Marathon Park ice arena, and approved a funding plan that would draw from county reserves and timber-sale excesses.

Committee members said the money would pay to replace a cooling tower, install a portable ‘‘mat’’ ice system for the second rink, make piping and refrigeration-room upgrades and cover design and related work. The committee motion directs staff to forward a resolution to the County Board identifying $540,000 from general fund reserves, $290,000 from excess timber-sale revenue in 2024 and $110,000 of projected excess timber-sale revenue in 2025 as the recommended funding source; it also requires that proceeds from any future sale of the portable mat be returned to the general fund.

The request grew out of emergency and long-running maintenance problems at the two-sheet facility in Marathon Park. Parks staff reported that one rink’s refrigeration piping is corroded and leaking brine, and that the 50-year-old equipment is increasingly at risk of failure. Parks Director Polley said the county faces both immediate operational questions — whether it can guarantee two sheets of ice next season — and a broader choice about staying in the ice-business long term.

“We discussed this for months and we really put a lot of thought into it,” Supervisor Masc said, describing the park commission’s review of options ranging from rebuilding a new two-sheet facility to making limited short-term repairs. Parks staff and the park commission recommended a short-term, flexible strategy that preserves options for a future rebuild while keeping ice available to user groups in the near term.

Administrator Leonard described the staff posture behind the recommendation: the package was designed to be the most flexible short-term fix so county leaders would retain options whether they later pursue a new facility or exit the ice-business. He said the mat system and mechanical improvements have resale or reuse value that would mitigate the county’s exposure if long-term plans change.

Finance Director Sam outlined funding options in committee discussion and recommended a mix of general fund reserves and excess timber-sale revenue. Sam said borrowing or bonding would be possible but would require matching the financing term to the asset life and would add issuance and interest costs.

Committee debate touched on user contributions, the facility’s subsidy level and the FEMA-funded feasibility study that could support a larger reconstruction grant. Parks staff said FEMA awarded a $325,000 scoping grant and that the county later applied for a construction grant (the construction ask cited in materials was about $9.7 million) that would require a local match if funded.

Supervisor Hart moved the committee recommendation; Supervisor O’Hara seconded. The committee approved forwarding the resolution and funding plan to the County Board by voice vote; the clerk recorded the committee result as 5–2 in favor when the motion reached final committee tally.

The recommendation must still clear the County Board. Committee members and staff emphasized the matter is a short-term step to keep the facility operating while a longer-term capital plan and funding strategy are developed, including additional outreach to user groups and additional study of long-term options.

If the County Board approves the funding, staff said the mat system would need ordering and installation timed around the county fair; the mat manufacturer estimated a 10–12 year useful life if stored between seasons, and staff said some of the under-floor piping work would be permanent upgrades that could be incorporated into any future rebuilding work.