Week in Review: Communities Adopt Resolution for Ice Arena Expansion

With 402 kids on the ice this year, the St. Michael-Albertville ice arena issue is still at the forefront of many minds; including the cities of Albertville, St. Michael and the St. Michael-Albertville school board.

Much discussion took place between the council and board members during the three groups' meeting back on Jan. 31, and agreement was implied that the need is there.

“The ultimate question,” Larry Kruse, Albertville city administrator said, “is where will the funding come from?”

 Scott Berning, the president of the youth hockey association was present and shared with the group how dire of a situation those affiliated with the sport feel the youth hockey players are in.

 “We are buying ice from other arenas and getting squeezed out. Some of our kids, 11 year olds, are going to Princeton or St. Cloud and not getting home until 11pm.” Berning said.

 School board member Jeffrey Lindquist agreed and said, “Pretty soon this situation is going to be negatively affecting the youth hockey association and ultimately the community. This has reached a greater urgency with parents driving to St. Cloud and Princeton.”

School board chair Doug Birk talked at length about the importance of a joint effort and agreement in going to talk with State Sen. Amy Koch. “It’s a tough year, but it’s not unprecedented to have the state fund or put money towards it.”

As conversation wrapped up, with the board and councils in agreement, St. Michael city administrator Bob Derus agreed to draft a joint resolution to get started.

Derus introduced that resolution to the St. Michael City Council Tuesday, Feb. 8.

 “The feeling was that everyone feels the need to find a way to move ahead with this,” Derus told the council. "It's just a question of where to find the money."

A copy of Derus' resolution, which was adopted by both city councils and read by the school board, is attached to this article.