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Amateur Sports Commission seeks bonding to fix SuperRink refrigeration and support rink upgrades statewide
Summary
The Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission told lawmakers the SuperRink at the National Sports Center faces crisis-level deferred maintenance, including required R‑22 refrigerant replacement, and requested state bonding support plus more funds for the Mighty Ducks ice-arena grant program to help rinks statewide.
ST. PAUL, Minn. — Officials from the Minnesota Amateur Sports Commission urged the Senate Capital Investment Committee on Jan. 28 to help pay for urgent repairs at the National Sports Center, especially at the SuperRink, and to sustain the Mighty Ducks grant program that helps community rinks across the state replace aging refrigeration systems.
Why it matters: The National Sports Center draws millions of visitors and significant economic activity to Minnesota; deferred maintenance at the SuperRink and the pending phase-out of R‑22 refrigerant have created a need for capital support to avoid rink closures and protect adaptive and youth-sport access.
Executive Director Todd Johnson and Managing Director Cara Lodge described the SuperRink’s condition and a recent facility assessment. Lodge said the campus has a replacement value near $206 million and deferred maintenance of about $79 million; the SuperRink alone has an estimated $58 million in deferred maintenance and is rated in “crisis” or “poor” condition. The commission requested about $23 million to renovate the SuperRink; the governor’s recommendation included roughly $8.6 million.
Lodge explained part of the need is the mandated phase-out of R‑22 refrigerant used in ice-plant systems. She said the commission engaged an engineering firm that identified priorities such as ice-plant replacement (including R‑22 change-out), dehumidification systems, lighting, low-e ceilings, interior finishes and accessible boards to improve sled-hockey access.
The commission also supports the Jim Metzen Mighty Ducks ice-arena grant program, which helps rinks across the state replace R‑22 systems, improve indoor air quality and upgrade equipment. Officials said demand exceeds available funds and that past awards were sometimes scaled back to broaden impact across communities.
Committee members praised the facility’s statewide economic impact and asked about funding strategies. Commissioners said the National Sports Center Foundation and local partners will pursue supplemental funding but that the scale of needed repairs is beyond what the foundation can shoulder alone. Joel Carlson, a commission member, described the original facility-financing history and the local commitments that built the complex, noting the campus has grown through a mix of public and private support.
No votes were taken. The commission said it will work with the committee on funding options for the SuperRink and keep the Mighty Ducks grant program active to assist community rinks transitioning away from R‑22 refrigerants.
