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National Sports Center warns of $78M deferred maintenance; seeks state help to replace aging R‑22 refrigeration
Summary
The Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission told the Capital Investment Committee the National Sports Center carries about $78 million in deferred maintenance and asked for state asset preservation funds, including $8.6 million in the governor's request toward a larger $23.35 million plan to replace an obsolete R‑22 refrigerant system.
The National Sports Center, managed by the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, told the House Capital Investment Committee on Feb. 18 that the 700-acre campus faces substantial deferred maintenance and immediate capital needs for its ice plant.
"Currently the National Sports Center's replacement value is just over $205,000,000," Todd Johnson, executive director of the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission, said. Deputy Executive Director Neil Ladd said the facilities assessment lists about $78,000,000 in deferred maintenance across the site, with roughly $40,000,000 of deferred maintenance on the arena complex alone.
The commission said its original asset preservation request was $23,350,000 and that the governor recommended $8,600,000. The main near-term priority is replacing the rink refrigeration system and moving from R‑22 to an ammonia system because R‑22 refrigerant is no longer available for purchase in the quantities needed. "For the R22 alone, it's close to a $7,000,000 change out just for the R22 to go to ammonia," Ladd told the committee.
Johnson described the center's high utilization and statewide economic role: the campus hosts tournaments and events that the commission estimates generate about $90 million in annual economic impact and said USA Cup drew teams from many states and countries last year. He said the facility is used year-round and that rink and soccer facilities draw about 4 million visits cumulatively.
Committee members asked if the center had considered alternative financing, including bonds or user-fee mechanisms. Johnson said the commission has explored funding models and asked members to consider any consistent revenue sources that would preserve affordability; he also noted legislative proposals that would capture user fees for deferred maintenance. The commission said it would accept partial funding to prioritize the refrigeration replacement and that other deferred maintenance would remain on the long-term list.
No formal committee action or vote was taken at the hearing; the commission answered members' questions and requested follow-up as legislators consider the governor's recommended amount.
