Petoskey City Council on Dec. 2 held an extended discussion and public comment period on a proposed multipurpose pavilion and optional refrigeration system at the Winter Sports Park rink but did not take a final vote.

Why it matters: Council discussion centered on whether to build a covered pavilion alone or pair it with a refrigeration (chiller) system. Supporters said a roof plus chiller would extend the skating season, reduce weather interruptions and create year-round uses; critics and several residents urged broader community engagement and asked the city to consider operating costs, user fees and how the pavilion fits into a citywide parks master plan.

What council discussed

City Manager Shane Horn reviewed estimated costs and funding sources, noting $82,000 in community donations received by the Petoskey Harbor Springs Community Foundation and other local fundraising but a significant funding gap if the council opts for a chill system. Horn said the full project estimate for pavilion plus chiller and related site work could be in the multimillion-dollar range and offered financing options, including an interdepartmental loan from the electric fund and use of fund balance or ARPA funds if council so directs.

Supporters at the meeting said a covered, chilled rink would increase all-season use and hosted events, citing figure skating, youth hockey, broomball, speed skating and summer indoor sports. Stefan Scholl, who grew up in the neighborhood, told council the rink often became unplayable from sun and snow and that a roof was critical to reliable ice. Other commenters, including Charlie Wilmot and Lisa Scholl, said the park would be an asset for families and urged approval.

Opponents and those urging caution said the pavilion should be considered as part of a larger Winter Sports Park master plan. Nancy Dwan, who described a long history of using the park, urged the council to prioritize unstructured, no-cost recreation and to ensure broad public outreach before committing large sums. Resident Keith Munson asked for clarity on the total estimated cost, and councilmembers requested more detailed operating-cost estimates for refrigeration and proposed revenue strategies (user fees, resident vs. nonresident pricing) prior to final approval.

Next steps: Councilmembers agreed to bring the item back for further discussion and possible motion at a future meeting; one councilmember proposed a two-week timeline to return with more detail and to gather public feedback. Staff was asked to produce clearer cost estimates, options for financing (including the electric fund loan), and operating-cost projections with suggested user-fee scenarios for council review.

Ending: No formal appropriation or final decision on the pavilion or chiller was made Dec. 2. Councilmembers directed staff to return with more detailed cost, financing and operations information and to widen public outreach as part of the Winter Sports Park master planning process.