Answer:  A variety of sites were evaluated for the potential facility including the property at the southeast corner of Barrette Street and Fisher Avenue (Nagel Property); the Northwest Research and Outreach property (north of Fisher Avenue between the railroad tracks and Barrette Street); the former Elk River Concrete property west of North Broadway; the Red River Valley Shows property; and more limited evaluations of several others. 

After evaluating a variety of sites based on visibility, access to utilities, site development expense, and related factors the City Council designated city owned property at the northeast corner of Barrette Street and Fisher Avenue.  See the location map and the site plan recently presented to the Ice Arena Advisory Committee for additional information. 

Answer:  The City of Crookston was allocated $10,000,000 in 2008 State of Minnesota Capital Investment Bill  to help facilitate the construction of a new ice arena complex.  This will allow for the removal of the existing facilities in order to accommodate a flood control project in 2010 designed to protect Jerome’s Addition. 
In order to receive bonding proceeds, the City of Crookston is required to provide a local match of $1,720,826.  The proposed financing for the local share represents the minimum project budget.  A large portion of the local match is proposed to come from the City’s Municipal Land and Building Fund (MLB).  This is a fund that receives an annual contribution for the overall and repair and replacement of city facilities. 

Please referr to the construction budgets based on the design options presented at the July 28, 2008 Ice Arena Advisory Committee meeting

Answer:  In 2005 the City received proposals from architectural firms to complete a concept design for a new arena facility. At that time, Widseth Smith and Nolting was selected to complete the concept design and evaluation.  Given the positive experience during concept design it was determined to maintain the existing relationship for the preparation of the construction documents. 

Using the concept plan as a starting point, the design team will proceed through the traditional stages of schematic design, design development, and the finalization of construction documents.  The Ice Arena Advisory Committee will review the documents during schematic design and the design development phase of the process.  The Ice Arena Advisory Committee will review the designs and make recommendations for review and consideration by the City Council. 

Answer:  The design effort is focused on bidding out a project that provides three sheets of ice.  For a variety of reasons three sheets of ice are needed in order to effectively support our current level of programming.  These reasons include:

1. Our current level of programming is not sustainable with two sheets of ice.  Aside from supporting University of Minnesota-Crookston recreational and competitive sports programming, the addition of girl’s hockey four years ago alone has added an additional six teams with ice time needs. 
2. We have maintained a commitment to our regional figure skating program that many communities elect not to support. 
3. Most similar area communities have at least three sheets of ice and do not support college hockey programs.  Area examples include Thief River Falls (3), Roseau (3), East Grand Forks (3 plus at least five more available in Grand Forks), and Bemidji (4 with another 1-2 being considered). 
4. Due to the lack of ice time, all program participants do not receive the quantity (number of times per week) or the duration (amount of time allocated per practice) that comparable programs receive. 

 

From a financial perspective and to ensure that we can award a project that is in alignment with the available budget, certain facility elements may be bid as alternates.  For example, bidding one of the ice sheets as an alternate would allow for each bid to be awarded or rejected depending on how the bids come in.   

Answer:  Yes.  Building systems will be designed to accommodate ice on an almost year round basis.  It will be necessary to take the ice out for a period of time during the spring when the frost is coming out of the ground.  In addition, the extent that year round ice is provided will depend on the ability to generate revenue to offset the increased operating costs associated with providing summer ice.   Uses not requiring ice can also be scheduled at all times when ice is not in place. 

Answer: Crookston Sport Center - CSC 

Answer: Similar to the existing arena facilities, it is anticipated that the City of Crookston will operate the new complex.  In conjunction with the design effort, City of Crookston staff will be completing an operational plan, operating policies, and evaluating best management practices for the new facility.  

Answer: The City of Crookston is currently in the process of finalizing new lease agreements with the School District and the University of Minnesota-Crookston.  It is anticipated that the lease agreements will strike a balance between supporting the operating budget and recognizing the construction expense that is incurred in order to accommodate their specific needs. 

Answer: Fees for the hockey and figure skating program are evaluated on an annual basis and are currently set with the intention of recovering programmatic expenses (coaching, supplies, etc . . .).

Answer:  The Crookston Planning Commission will consider a rezoning request to rezone the arena site as “Institutional.”  Zoning and future land use for the property surrounding the arena will be evaluated at a later time and could include a mix of commercial and residential uses. 

Answer:  It is projected that a concession stand will be made available in the new facility.  Concessions, along with many other facets of building operation will be evaluated as we go into the new facility. 

Answer: No

Answer:  The current site plan contemplates the potential for expansion off of the existing lobby area.  Future community needs, operating partnerships, and the ability to finance the construction of proposed additions will be factors when evaluating future expansion of the facility. 

Answer: Project Team members are in the process of evaluating the best approach for bidding the project out.  One option being considered is the implementation of best value contracting.  In addition to low bid, best value contracting gives Minnesota cities the ability to consider other important criteria when selecting contractors including project experience, ability to deliver project on time, ability to deliver the project within budget, and other important factors that ultimately contribute to project efficiency and cost effectiveness. 

Answer: The seating in the event arena is evolving with the design and financing plan.  This is an issue currently being evaluated by the Advisory Committee. 

Answer:  The current timeline contemplates completion early in 2010.  See the preliminary project schedule for more specific information. 

Answer:  In addition to looking for ways to reduce the expense in the facility, fundraising will be integral to the success of the project.  A community group has formed and is in process of initiating a fundraising effort.  Fundraising information can be found on this page.. 

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Answer:  In 2004 the Crookston Vitality Project was finalizing a community based strategic planning initiative.  One of the core initiatives involved the construction of a community center that included an ice arena complex.  Concept plans for a community center were developed and presented to the community in 2005.  Around this time, the City of Crookston established a partnership with the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to construct flood control measures in Crookston’s remaining flood prone neighborhoods.  During the design process for the flood control measures, it was determined that the existing ice arena complex would have to be removed in order to construct a levee to protect Jerome’s Addition. 

With the need to replace the arena complex, the City Council formed an Ice Arena Advisory Committee to develop a concept plan for a new arena facility.  During this process, many of the same members that serve on the current Ice Arena Advisory Committee provided feedback that ultimately resulted in the development of the current concept plan.  While the current concept plan does not include many of the features originally considered as part of the Vitality Project’s community center concept, the foundation has been established for future development in this area.  

Answer: It is not anticipated that the current minimum construction budget will result in any tax increases.  The current operating deficit for the existing arena complex is $200,000 to $300,000 per year.  In recent years it has been slightly less due to the maintenance that has been deferred in anticipation of moving into a new facility.  Our current operating cost projection contemplates an operating deficit in a similar range.  This is attained through projected increases in facility income and some building efficiencies.  

Answer:  We are in the process of developing a sample schedule for a three sheet facility.  It is anticipated that there will be additional opportunities for open skating, open figure skating, and open hockey.

Answer: Going from a two sheet facility to a three sheet facility will require additional staffing and equipment.  Our current operating budget anticipates that the increased staffing will be non-fulltime seasonal employees.  The primary increase in additional equipment will be an additional ice resurfacer needed to maintain ice in a timely manner. 

Answer:  Weather permitting, outdoor ice is currently maintained in Central Park.  Due to the flooding that occurs in the park, relocation of the existing outdoor rinks to the arena complex is being considered.  Aside from not having to remove the boards from the park every year, relocating the rinks to the arena site will allow easier ongoing maintenance due to proximity of the ice resurfacer and the support facilities provided at the building.    

Answer:  This facility is being designed as a community facility.  Toward that end, a concerted effort will be made to maintain neutrality for all programs while providing appropriate means for project partners to promote their programs. 

Answer: Answer: A variety of opportunities for multiuse are being considered for the ice arena complex.  In addition to a year round indoor walking track, with large indoor spaces there are many things that the space can be used for once the ice goes out.  In some cases additional uses may require future investment in an additional flooring system, or in some cases no additional investment is needed.  Many uses could potentially be accommodated with the purchase of a turf flooring system at an approximate expense of $80,000.  See the Fogerty Arena in Blaine for an example of how this might work. 

Beyond additional flooring systems, it is anticipated that the new facility would accommodate auctions, recreational soccer, Park and Recreation’s Club Kid program, roller hockey, indoor spring sporting activities, dances, and a variety of other dryland activities.  See various examples of how the space could be converted for various uses. 

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