As solutions are sought for the issue of the Northfield Ice Arena, the Northfield Hockey Association is looking for support to build a new facility that would ultimately be owned by the City of Northfield.
The current building is rundown and, to many people, has never been an adequate facility. The building was constructed in the 1970’s and was not intended to house a sheet of ice in the first place. 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. With no shower facilities in the locker rooms, it does not meet the Minnesota State High School League Standards and has never been compliant with the American Disabilities Act that was passed over thirty years ago. 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.
Kari Engle of the Northfield Hockey Association said, while the atmosphere in the building can be very good during a hockey game, the experience of attending one in the building is far from positive. She said a tournament last season brought more than 450 youth hockey players and their families to Northfield. Because of the condition of the building, there are no plans for another tournament of that size to be held there, despite the benefits to the city.
“A very conservative estimate from just that weekend as to what the city brought in in sales tax alone was over $300,000. We’re talking pretty significant amounts of dollars coming in through lodging through restaurants, through hotel stays, shops downtown. People love Northfield, and they love to come here. It’s not just hockey and the skating school and the other things that the arena is used for. It is the secondary income that comes with it.”
The Northfield Hockey Association has a plan to build a new arena on land donated to the organization. The building would be constructed by a private developer, purchased and operated by the city, and the Northfield School District would sign a long-term lease as the building’s main tenant. However, the Northfield City Council has shown very little support for the plan for several reasons, most of which involve the price tag. At $19 million dollars, it is estimated that a city purchase would require $9 million in tax abatement, which would add 7% to the current tax levy. Councilor Brad Ness is the only member of the council who has shown unequivocal support for the plan. The NHA understands that more private money would be required to make the plan work, and there are donors lined up to help. However, no donations will be made until there is a commitment to the plan from the city. Engle said the objections by other councilors, which include problems with equity, the location of the building, and the contribution by the school district show that they do not fully understand the situation.
“They don’t have a great picture of how used our ice arena is, how many people use it and how many entities use it as well. They’re looking at just making sure that it’s inclusive and equitable. But it now comes to the point where we need to know what the city is willing to put forth. What is it going to take? We need to know.”
The City Council is expected to further consider the plan during the upcoming 2024 budget sessions.
Hosanna Church will sponsor celebration of first responders
Hosanna Lutheran Church is planning a celebration of the Northfield Area first responders next week at the soccer field complex in Spring Creek Park.
Working in conjunction with the Northfield Police Department, the Picnic in the Park will bring first responders together with the community in order to honor them and to give community members a chance to get to know them on a personal level and better understand the very important work they do.
Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott said the larger Hosanna Church has sponsored events like this across the State of Minnesota, including a previous event two years ago in Northfield. The family friendly event will feature a DJ, drawings for giveaways including household items, and a bicycle for one lucky kid, as well as food for all who attend. Elliott said along with EMS crews, law enforcement officers and firefighters, Emergency Room workers from Northfield Hospital and Clinics will be included in the event this year, for the vital contributions they make during emergency situations.
“One part of our first responder network that doesn’t get talked about a lot is our folks who work in the Emergency Room at Northfield Hospital. Our ER workers are critical in helping get folks stabilized and comfortable, and in reducing some of the stress and anxiety in that initial treatment. We want to recognize those for folks as very important responders for us as well.”
Emergency equipment will be on display, including squad cars, ambulances, a fire truck and he is hopeful helicopters from both the State Patrol and the Air Ambulance service will be on hand as well.
The Picnic in the Park honoring Northfield Area First Responders will be Wednesday July 19th from 5-8pm at Spring Creek Park in Northfield. For more information email Kathy Freeland at kathyf@hosannalc.org.
Jeff Johnson’s full conversation with Northfield Chief of Police Mark Elliott can be heard here
City Council to hear from Northfield Historical Society, NH+C
And the Northfield City Council will meet tonight in the Council Chambers in City Hall.
The Council will hear the presentation of the Northfield Hospital & Clinics’ audit for 2022 and the budget request from the Northfield Historical Society for 2024. They will consider a resolution authorizing step increases for licensed police officers, they will consider the second reading of the amended ordinance on the legal use and sale of cannabis and THC products in Northfield, and they will consider adding a floating district to the zoning map at 1000 Division Street.
As always, the city and the council are asking to hear opinions and comments from the public. Anyone who wishes to do so is invited to come to the meeting and address the council on any topic they see fit. Those wishing to voice their opinions without addressing the council should email their councilors directly or post a comment through the eComment button on the “Agendas” section of the City Council website.
Tonight’s meeting will begin at 6:00.
Rich Larson is the KYMN News Director. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net
