Your 20 FAQs on Northfield's ice arena: Insights from June 4th City Council meeting documents and discussion
A crucial City Council decision is coming on June 18
Video introduction (1 minute, 54 seconds; closed captions in many languages available):
The Northfield City Council intends to vote on the proposed ice arena options at its June 18 meeting. See the 30-minute video of the June 4th Council discussion of the ice arena starting at the 2:02 mark of the video here.
Listen to the audio of the discussion here:
[For additional background, see links to Northfield News and KYMN stories on the ice arena issue in Footnote #1 ]
Based on the documents supplied to Councilors at its June 4th meeting (agenda PDF with document links here) and a transcript of the agenda item discussion (rough AI transcript text file here), we’ve used AI to help us create this list of FAQs. (We’ve reviewed all the items and edited many, as AI isn’t always accurate.)
What are the main options being considered for the ice arena?
Renovating and expanding the existing ice arena, building a new one, or getting out of the business completely.
Why is the existing ice arena inadequate?
The refrigeration system is at the end of its life, and major upgrades are needed to keep it operational. There are no high school locker rooms, and the existing locker rooms are significantly undersized. There isn’t fire suppression or fire monitoring, and the lobby is congested. The lack of restrooms has led to players co-mingling with spectators, which has led to porta-potties being used outside by players, and the venue is not ADA-compliant.
Who are the main partners for a proposed new ice arena?
The main partners are the Cities of Northfield and Dundas, the Northfield School District, and the Northfield Hockey Association.What is the estimated cost of the new ice arena?
The estimated cost of the new ice arena is $20.9 million.How would a new ice arena be funded?
Funding will come from the sale of the existing arena, private fundraising by the Northfield Hockey Association, a 20-year lease from the Northfield School District, and property taxes for both Northfield and Dundas.How will the costs be split between Northfield and Dundas?
Based on the market value, with Northfield covering 88% and Dundas covering 12%.How much will the Northfield School District contribute annually?
The Northfield School District will lease the facility, contributing $250,000 annually for 20 years.What is the contribution of the Northfield Hockey Association?
The Northfield Hockey Association will contribute $2 million and donate approximately seven acres of land recently donated to them, valued between $350,000 and $500,000.How will the Northfield Hockey Association's fundraising be used?
The $2 million raised will go towards construction costs, and any additional funds will support optional upgrades like precast stadium seating and a dryland training area that have been removed from the project.Why is a new arena preferred by some over renovating the existing one?
Building a new modern arena has the same tax impact as renovating the current area. Some partners have indicated that they might not contribute to the construction costs for renovation, and the City of Dundas will not put good money into such a poor, substandard facility.What will happen to the existing ice arena if a new arena is the chosen option?
The existing ice arena will be sold, with proceeds going towards the construction of the new arena.Who are the prospective buyers of the existing arena?
Prospective buyers are Tyler Westman and Brett Anderson, who are exploring private recreational use of the facility but can also use it for other allowed uses per the City zoning code.Why was JLG Architects chosen for this project?
JLG Architects is a leader in ice arena design, along with its partners.What alternative architect options were considered?
Other architects, including those with different approaches like rink-in-a-box, were considered but deemed unsuitable for the project's scope. A rink-in-a-box is a smaller practice facility rink with less seating than the existing Northfield ice area. It doesn’t have high school locker rooms.How will the economic impact of the ice arena be measured?
The economic impact includes direct, indirect, and induced effects totaling approximately $1.6 million annually.What is the annual tax impact of the new ice arena on a $350,000 home in Northfield and Dundas?
Approximately $172 per year or $14 per month.What is the potential timeline for the construction of the new ice arena?
The project is expected to proceed with finalizing sale terms and financing after approvals in June 2024. Bidding would happen in early 2025, with construction starting in the spring of 2025 and opening in the summer of 2026.What concerns were expressed by the council at the June 4th meeting regarding the project's long-term sustainability?
Ensuring the building is well-maintained and funded to avoid future financial strain.
What additional FAQs should we consider adding?
What comments do you have about any of the above items?
Footnote:
News story links
KYMN Radio (text and audio)
March 14: Ice Arena conversation resumes, City Council offers mixed support
April 24: School District looks to affirm commitment to a new Northfield Ice Arena
Northfield News
March 19: Northfield council considers latest ice arena options, by reporter Andrew Deziel
May 2: Letter supporting new ice hockey facility presented to Northfield School Board, by reporter Pamela Thompson
May 14: Northfield council considers latest ice arena proposal with $21 million price tag, by reporter Andrew Deziel