The city of Negaunee took to Facebook this week to address concerns about the operations and future plans for the Negaunee Ice Arena. (Photo courtesy of the city of Negaunee’s Facebook page)

NEGAUNEE — The city of Negaunee released information regarding repairs and operations to the Negaunee Ice Arena in a post to their Facebook page on Monday morning.

City Manager Nate Heffron addressed the concerns surrounding the operations and future plans of the arena at the most recent city council meeting on October 9, where user groups of the ice arena were in attendance to garner support and request the council make necessary investments in the facility.

The city says that the chilling unit that creates ice and maintains the proper temperature is malfunctioning and deteriorated well beyond its useful life over the past few years. The city council has invested approximately $91,000 in funds to keep the system operating while funding to make the necessary repairs has been sought out. According to the city, the cost for the chiller unit alone is estimated to reach up to $500,000. An engineering firm is currently working to provide estimates, timelines and critical information to city staff, which will be presented at the next City Council meeting on November 13.

Overall, the proposed repairs and maintenance of the ice arena would include the full replacement of the chilling unit, revamping of current facilities (such as restrooms, locker rooms and common spaces), construction and expansion of additional locker rooms, insulation of the facility’s roof and parking lot upgrades (such as expansion, lighting and repaving).

“With the lack of a long-term dedicated funding mechanism for the ice arena since 1986, along with little to no investment made into the facility, its maintenance issues have now come to a head. Similar to many of the other infrastructure issues facing the city today – such as roads, parks, water and sewer systems – lack of investment leads to disaster or a disruption in services. However, today’s council and city staff are up for the challenge to save this asset of the community,” wrote the city of Negaunee in a Monday morning Facebook post. “The fact of the matter is, the ice arena does not make the city money most years. The ice arena falls under the General Fund, the same fund that includes Police, (the) Department of Public Works, Fire, (the Negaunee Public) Library and many other service-based departments. Additionally, it is estimated that nearly $1.1 million will be needed to make the aforementioned upgrades. The General Fund, including other city funds, cannot bear such a cost without placing the city at major financial risk. Numerous grants have been sought over the past few years to no avail. Staff have even attempted to obtain what is known as pork barrel spending, but this too has failed.”

The city explained how questions have risen about the potential use of the current recreation millage, which cannot be used. When the millage was passed to help facilitate the operations of the parks and recreational facilities of the city, capital improvements (such as facility repairs or equipment purchases required by the Negaunee Ice Arena) are not permitted under the millage.

City staff are working to gather all proper information necessary to present to the City Council and greater community about potentially collecting a new millage to maintain ice arena operations. Should the council decide to support collecting a new millage, it will be placed on the ballot for the voters of Negaunee to decide in a future election.

The city will continue working with a group of representatives to finalize plans and stay connected to user groups concerning this issue. More information will be provided at the next regular City Council meeting at 6:30 p.m. on November 13, which will take place at the Negaunee Senior Center located at 410 Jackson Street.

Additional questions may be directed to the attention of Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron at 906-475-7700, ext. 11.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.