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Residents press council on ice-arena repairs and operations; city cites increased revenue but ongoing costs
Summary
During the bond hearing, residents asked for clarity on ice-arena spending and profitability; officials said the $1.16M allocation covers replacement of old switch gear and ice-making equipment and that revenue rose about $165,000 last year but a full profitability analysis had not been completed.
Several residents questioned the city during the bond hearing about the ice arena's condition, ownership and financial performance. Kathleen O'Leary asked whether the $1.16 million in the capital package would make the arena profitable and what the money would specifically cover; staff said the funding is primarily for replacing antiquated electrical switch gear and ice-making equipment that date from the 1970s and are well beyond their useful life.
Controller Ina Resnick and the city manager said the ice arena has shown increased revenue—about $165,000 last year—thanks to investments by the recreation group, but neither claimed the facility is fully profitable. "I haven't analyzed yet the ice arena. I'm assuming it loses money, but I'm not positive," the controller said. Residents also asked whether private operators had proposed running the rink; staff acknowledged prior overtures but said some proposals lacked experience and that the city has invested in improvements and operational changes in recent years.
The capital allocation for the arena is part of the larger bond package introduced Aug. 4; any individual project will return to the council for final approval before work proceeds.
