Petoskey City Council on Dec. 16 voted to advance design and procurement of a covered pavilion and rink at Winter Sports Park and to continue seeking the remaining funding needed to build the project.

The resolution, passed 4–1, directs city staff to proceed with engineering, state review and bidding for the pavilion project and includes an amendment inserted on the council floor that states the council’s intent for “opportunities for City of Petoskey residents to have free and unstructured access to the ice rink and pavilion throughout the winter and year round.” Councilmember Brian Wagner moved the main motion; Councilmember Moore seconded. Councilmember DeMour cast the lone no vote.

The pavilion as described in the council packet would cover the rink surface and could include a refrigeration (chiller) system to extend usable ice from late fall into spring. City staff and project backers said the total cost estimate varies depending on whether the chiller is included; council and staff repeatedly cited a remaining funding gap in the range of about $1.1 million to $2.3 million. City Manager Shane Horn said the city already has committed or pledged funds, including a $100,000 ARPA match from Emmet County, and that private fundraising (including Petoskey Rotary contributions) and grants are part of the financing plan.

Why it matters

Supporters said the roof and potential chiller would make the rink usable in weather that has made the park less reliable in recent winters, allowing programming for youth hockey, open skate and other community events. Opponents and some council members said the proposal should be weighed as part of a broader Winter Sports Park master plan, set to be completed in early 2025, to ensure limited public dollars are allocated to the community’s highest park priorities.

What council debated

• Funding and timing: City staff described existing grant agreements and private commitments and said some grant deadlines begin to expire in 2025. Parks Director Kendall Klingelsmith confirmed that one grant expires July 2025 and the other two in December 2025. City Manager Shane Horn told council the city could use a mix of dedicated fund balance and an interdepartmental loan from the electric fund if needed; several council members sought assurances about the size and source of any city contribution.

• Scope (chiller vs. cover only): Staff and proponents urged including a refrigeration system to ensure reliable ice in marginal winters. As Horn said during discussion, the city’s preference is to “take this all on right now” including the chiller, but the council retains the ability to value-engineer or remove components during the contractor/bid review if costs exceed estimates.

• Master planning and public input: Several council members and at least one public speaker pressed for the pavilion decision to be coordinated with the Winter Sports Park master plan, which staff said will include public input sessions and is expected to be completed in Q1 2025. Councilmember Moore and other speakers said the master plan’s findings should inform how limited taxpayer funds are prioritized across parks.

• Public use guarantee: Councilmember Derek (last name not specified on the record) proposed, and Wagner accepted, an amendment stating the council’s intent that the rink and pavilion provide free and unstructured access for city residents; the amendment was accepted and incorporated into the resolution.

Public comment

A majority of public speakers supported moving the project forward. David (DJ) Jones of the Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation outlined the foundation’s fundraising role and reported the foundation-held Rotary account balance as roughly $276,265.85 toward the project. Jim Powell, executive director of the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, said the project would improve operational stability and increase year‑round vibrancy for the park. Nikki Devitt, president and CEO of the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce, and multiple longtime residents and park users urged approval to protect and extend winter recreation.

Opposition or caution

Resident Nancy Duane told council she did not support immediate approval and urged the council to wait for the Winter Sports Park master plan so the broader park needs could be considered alongside the pavilion. Several council members expressed similar concerns about committing large amounts of city funds before the master plan is complete.

Implementation and next steps

Staff said engineering and state review would continue if council’s direction is to proceed; bids would be solicited after designs and state approvals are complete. If bids exceed budget estimates, city council retains authority to approve, reject or value‑engineer the final contract. Staff also said some funding sources (grants and private commitments) have deadlines in 2025 and that continuing design now helps secure grant eligibility and donor commitments.

Financial details and clarifications from the record

• Petoskey Rotary/Community Foundation: Council heard that Rotary’s total commitment to the project is $277,000, split across accounts managed by the Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation and Rotary’s own foundation; the foundation-reported balance was cited as about $276,265.85. (DJ Jones, Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation)

• Grant timeline: Parks Director Klingelsmith confirmed a grant expiration in July 2025 and two others in December 2025. (Kendall Klingelsmith, Parks & Recreation)

• Funding gap: Staff and council used a range of about $1.1 million to $2.3 million as the outstanding amount depending on whether a chiller is included. (city staff briefings in meeting packet and discussion)

Decision

The council passed the resolution to continue engineering, state review and procurement steps for the Winter Sports Park pavilion project, including the amendment stating the council’s intent to preserve free and unstructured access for city residents. The final vote was 4 in favor, 1 opposed.

Quotes

• “My preference is, let's take this all on right now. Let's get it done,” City Manager Shane Horn said while urging the council to proceed with the full project scope including the chiller.

• “We are still accepting applications. Absolutely. So if you know of anyone still interested, we still have funds to get out the door,” Horn said when answering questions about the related housing grant program during his manager’s report.

• “If those components are involved… I have a problem in not having those tools in those bottles,” David (DJ) Jones of the Petoskey Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation told council when describing the scope in the group’s grant application and its stewardship responsibilities.

What to watch

• Engineering and state review progress (staff will return to council with bid documents and cost information).

• How staff plans to close the remaining $1.1–$2.3 million funding gap, including any proposed use of city fund balance or interdepartmental borrowing.

• Completion of the Winter Sports Park master plan (Q1 2025), which council members said should inform long-term park investments.

Ending

Council members and members of the public described the Winter Sports Park pavilion as a generational project, with proponents citing extended seasons and year-round programming and opponents urging that it be balanced with the park’s broader needs. The council’s vote keeps the project moving to the next design and procurement steps while adding a council-intent guarantee of free resident access.