The Negaunee Ice Arena is pictured. The city will ask voters in early May to approve a bond proposal, funds to be used to upgrade and improve the 39-year-old facility. (Journal file photo)

NEGAUNEE — Voters in the city of Negaunee will review a bond proposal on the May 5 ballot, funds to be used to upgrade and improve the Negaunee Ice Arena.

By a unanimous vote Thursday, the Negaunee City Council approved bond proposal ballot language, which will, in effect, ask voters for permission to bond for up to $1.25 million, said City Manager Nate Heffron. The city could not bond for more than that amount, he said.

“That would be our cap,” Heffron said. “These improvements are needed. It’s a huge added value to our community.”

According to information reviewed by the city council, the 39-year-old Negaunee Ice Arena is in line to receive a new chilling unit, a new de-humidifier plus other improvements. Work would be done in two separate phases and would start shortly after a successful bond vote in May, Heffron said.

Phase one would include replacement of the chilling unit and de-humidifier at an estimated cost of $750,000. Heffron expects additional bids on those two items, noting that he would like both units installed by mid-September, in time for the upcoming hockey season.

Phase two would include reconstruction of the facility’s locker rooms, replacement of the bleachers and improvements to the parking lot plus other general upgrades. That work would take place in 2027.

Cost to property owners would be as follows: Assuming the city bonds for the full amount of $1.25 million, cost to property owners with a $75,000 state equalized value, which is 50 percent of market value, would be about $35 on .49 mills. Overall, the bond proposal would not be more than 20 years.

Without the improvements, Heffron said the facility could be shuttered. The city is bound by the provisions of a 1980s-era Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant which helped construct the facility, provisions that require the building to be open to the public and to be used for recreational purposes.

“We couldn’t use it for a DPW building, for example,” he said.

For additional general information in the Negaunee Ice Arena, visit https://www.cityofnegaunee.com/parks-recreation/pages/ice-arena.

Bud Sargent can be reached at 906-229-2500, extension 544. His email address is bsargent@miningjournaL.net.