Resident asks Bay County for $15,000 to add entertainment lights at Civic Arena pro rink

During the public comment period of the Aug. 15 Bay County Board of Commissioners meeting, a Bay City resident identified in the record as Mike asked commissioners to fund $15,000 to install entertainment lighting in the pro rink at the Bay County Civic Arena.

Mike said the request would cover six professional-grade LED ceiling lights that swivel and rotate plus two red rotating goal lights to mark scored goals. He said the system is “designed to last for 20-plus years of service” and would be used by the Tri Valley Thunder, the Blizzard hockey association, figure skaters and tournament teams who use the arena. “I am asking you for the money for this addition because I believe it will create new excitement for ice skating and hopefully increase participation in the sport,” he said.

Mike told commissioners his son will be a senior on the Tri Valley Thunder and that the project’s timeline is constrained: the Michigan High School Athletic Association season starts in November, and he said the equipment needs to be ordered and installed soon to be ready for this season. He said he has a vendor quote and a photograph of the lights available.

Why it matters: the request seeks county funding for a county-owned recreation facility used by local youth and adult teams; approval would result in a capital purchase and installation timed to the upcoming season. The transcript records the request and the dollar amount but does not show a formal county motion or staff recommendation on the record.

What the record does not show: whether staff reviewed the quote, whether the purchase would be an eligible capital expense in the department budget, or whether private fundraising or donations were considered; those details were not provided during public comment.