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Brown Deer delays Community Square ice-rink decision after staff recommends accepting donated rink
Summary
Parks staff recommended the village accept a donated ice rink from the Milwaukee Winter Club and explore a third-party operating agreement; the board agreed to defer final decision until after closed-session discussions about capital funding and site improvements.
Parks and recreation staff presented three options for Community Square's 2025—26 ice-rink season and recommended that the village accept a donated rink from Milwaukee Winter Club while negotiating operational terms with ABC Estabrook Inc.
The options presented were: (1) no rink operated by the village; (2) a smaller village-run rink with reduced hours and lower staffing that staff estimated would cost about $20,000 to operate this season; and (3) a third-party operator that would assume operating costs and provide more hands-off village oversight. Parks Director Danny told the board the Milwaukee Winter Club indicated it would donate a rink for at least the coming season. "The general recommendation would be to authorize staff to accept the donation from the Milwaukee Winter Club and initiate a smaller ice rink at Community Square for the 25—26 winter season," Danny said.
Trustees raised questions about the longer-term plan for Community Square, the cost and staffing model, and whether residents would retain access if a private operator ran the rink. Staff said the 2024 season left the village with an approximately $10,000 deficit after start-up and staffing costs and one-time capital purchases. Board members emphasized the need for a sustainable multi-year plan before committing to a covered, higher-cost facility.
Rather than take immediate action, the board agreed by unanimous consent to move consideration of the rink operating arrangement until after a closed-session discussion on capital improvements and funding later in the meeting. That means no final contract or acceptance was approved on Oct. 6; staff was authorized to continue negotiations and would return with any proposed operating agreement and terms for board approval.
What to watch: staff plans to negotiate terms with ABC Estabrook Inc. if the board supports that approach, and the village will not finalize acceptance of any donated rink until the board takes formal action after the closed-session discussion. The long-term future of a covered rink depends on whether the village secures capital funding and a sustainable operating model.
