Northfield Superintendent of Schools Dr. Matt Hillman has provided some clarity with regards to the city’s plan to build a new ice arena, and the school 
Earlier in the month Northfield Public Works Director and City Engineer Dave Bennett laid out the city’s ambitious Parks Capital Improvement Plan and the funding options that have been identified. The construction of a new ice arena is a cornerstone of the plan. The current building is rundown and, to many people, no longer an adequate facility. Maintenance costs are high for the building and will continue to grow, as it requires a new roof, and the ice-making equipment will have to be replaced soon. Aurora Pharmaceutical has approached the city about buying the arena in order to facilitate the company’s growth, and the city would very much like to sell to Aurora for a number of reasons.
The funding process that the city has outlined for a new arena includes, among other things, $9 million in tax abatement, private fund and land donations, and a $6 million contribution from the Northfield School District.
Hillmann said he feels it is very important to find a solution to build a new arena, both because Northfield residents want to see local government agencies working collaboratively and because losing an ice arena could mean shutting down the high school hockey program, which is not something Hillmann wants. However, he said the city would own the arena, and be responsible for the maintenance and upkeep, and the school district’s contribution would only come through a lease with the building as the major tenant. The $6 million in the city plan would reflect annual rent payments of $300,000 over a twenty-year lease.
Hillmann said the district is at the table for discussions about a new arena, but the project is still just in the discussion phase.
“I want to just share with people that the city and our private partner that we’re working on this continue to try to look at what is the best way we can solve this and with the least amount of impact to local taxpayers to the best of our ability. I feel we are at one of the best points since we’ve started this discussion and we continue to persevere, to try to find a solution.”
There is no timetable for the ice arena project that has been made public at this time.
‘All that Jazz’ gala features music, art, impressive silent auction
The Northfield Arts Guild will host Arts and All That Jazz on Saturday night at Armory Square. The event will feature performances by some of Northfield’s 
foremost jazz musicians, including Laura Caviani and Dave Hagedorn, Barb Piper and Curt Johnson, and Sweet Jazz. The event will be catered by Ruth’s on Stafford.
Thanks to the Covid-19 pandemic, this will be the first time in three years that the Guild has been able to hold an in-person event. Guild Board Member Nancy Carlson said there is a sense of excitement about an in-person event among the Arts Guild members, and the Guild intends to use the event as a springboard to grow and enhance that membership. Northfield has a long and respected history as an arts community, and the Guild has long been the center of that community, but many people still do not know the breadth of what the Arts Guild does.
“We have, I think, an opportunity to join coming up, but we also have an obligation to support the arts. I don’t know if people realize that our Guild, our little Guild, has an orchestra, a theater, we offer classes, we have all kinds of art exhibits, and what would our community be like without a way for people to express themselves? Through this myriad of ways with art.”
Guild Board member Connie Albers said the event will also feature a silent auction offering artwork created by more than 50 local artists, and nearly a dozen experiences upon which to bid. Among the experiences to bid on, lauded local artist Wendell Arnesson will offer a class on collage. There is a guided sailing experience on Lake Pepin and a North Shore getaway. Guitar historian and master classical guitarist Randall Fergusson is offering a private performance, and Board member Jane Turpin More, an accomplished pianist, is offering a performance for a holiday party. All of the donated art pieces can be seen on the Northfield Arts Guild website.
The Arts and All That Jazz Gala is set for Saturday night at Armory Square, from 6-10pm. Tickets are $45 and can be purchased at northfeldartsguild.org
Master Gardeners will give away trees and shrubs on Friday
And the Rice County Master Gardeners will celebrate Arbor Day on Friday with their annual tree and shrub giveaway. Master Gardener Robbie Cheever said thanks to a 
grant from the Tri-Lake Sportsman’s Club, the gardeners will be giving away Norway Spruce, Paper Birch and Sugar Maple Trees and Red Twig Dogwood, Lilac, and Elderberry shrubs.
The Master Gardeners are a volunteer group that have gone through training with the University of Minnesota Extension, and offer seminars and events throughout the year, working with organizations like Habitat for Humanity and local food shelves, or just offering their time to answer questions and talk about gardening. Cheever said they are expected to volunteer at least 25 hours each year and go through at least 6 hours of continuing education every year as well.
Cheever said the trees and shrubs will come with instructions for how to plant them and take care of them, but someone looking to plant a tree should do a little research before selecting the right species. Where to plant a tree depends on that tree’s needs for depth, light and space, she said.
As long as the ground is not frozen, Cheever this is a good time to plant a tree. And some of the heartier plants like peas and radishes could go in soon, but she suggests waiting to plant tomatoes or peppers until closer to June. She said those looking for more exact planting advice can find plenty of resources.
“There are so many great, great areas that you can go to find out. The University of Minnesota has a wonderful extension website that you can go to, extension.umn.edu, and it will give you information about everything that you can plant in the ground, whether it be a a lowly little shrub or an 80-foot tree. The information is amazing that they have there.”
The Master Gardeners tree and shrub giveaway is this Friday from 3:30-5:30pm at the Rice County Fairgrounds. One plant will be given away per person. Cheever said this is a drive through event, and attendees should simply follow the signs and can stay in their cars. For more information, visit the Rice County Master Gardeners Facebook page.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Rice County Master Gardener Robbie Cheever can be heard here
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
