Located at 141 Rail St., the facility was built in 1986 using, in part, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources grant. It is the home of the Negaunee Miners High School hockey team as well as the Iron Range Hockey Association, a House League Hockey Association for mites through midget levels, both boys and girls. They are affiliated with both USA Hockey and the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association.

Specifically, the city will ask for .4977 mill on the May 5 ballot for a maximum of 20 years, said City Manager Nate Heffron. Overall, that will generate $1.25 million. If the millage request is approved, it will cost taxpayers an additional $24.93 to $62.32 per year, depending on the assessed value of their property, he said.

“I look at facilities like this as community assets,” said Heffron. “They help the entire city. They make our community more attractive.”

According to the city website, the arena is used daily from late fall through early spring (winter months) for hockey, figure skating and open skating. Also, the arena and ice are available for rental for birthday parties and family gatherings.

This photo shows the exterior of the Negaunee Ice Arena, including part of the parking lot. (Journal file photo)

Although millage receipts would be used for a wide variety of purposes, the single largest expenditure — estimated at about $500,000 — would be to purchase and install a new chiller, the device that freezes the ice sheet. The current unit wasn’t new in 1986, when the facility was constructed, having been taken from another arena and sold to Negaunee for a reduced price.

“It was a used unit back then,” Heffron said. “It needs to be replaced.”

Additionally, funds from the millage would be used to improve the bleachers; add lockeroons, including one for women; purchase and install a dehumidifier, which could extend the skating season; install security lighting;