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Projects are at arena, city pool, theater and splash pad

The city of Albert Lea is considering almost $11 million in long-term maintenance and energy savings projects at City Arena, the Aquatic Center and the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center. The cost also includes new restrooms near the splash pad at the north end of Broadway.

According to information provided by the city, there is $2.5 million in federal funding available for energy-savings projects, leaving the net cost for taxpayers of all the projects at about $8.38 million.

The city has been working with Anoka-based company Apex since the spring to review the needs of each facility and come up with estimates for the various projects.

Cathy Malakowsky, director of engagement and enrichment for the city of Albert Lea, said the consideration comes as the city hopes to continue its legacy of high quality of life and sustain is recreation facilities for the long-term benefit of residents.

She said the maintenance of the facilities would be much cheaper than building new, noting that a new arena alone would be estimated at $45 million.

Projects at the arena that are being proposed are estimated to cost $6.3 million after $2.5 million in federal funding.

They include repairing support beams, replacing the floor of the Colstrup rink, replacing two separate refrigeration systems for both rinks with one system, replacing the lighting with LEDs, expanding the lobby and replacing other equipment or fixtures.

Built in 1967 as the field house for Lea College, the city bought the building when the college closed and converted it to an ice arena in 1976. The second sheet of ice opened in 1999.

The arena totals 99,800 in square footage, and according to the city was visited by nearly 50,000 people in the last 12 months.

Malakowsky said during the review they looked at whether to continue with the two sheets of ice and talked about all of the visitors who come to town for hockey games there and in turn the money they spend in the community.

Currently, the refrigeration for the back ice is at a crisis point and will need to be replaced soon, she said.

Todd Ulve, president of the Albert Lea Hockey Board of Directors, said the association has 10 tournaments this year, with more than 50 teams staying up to two nights for each tournament. He estimated about 1,770 nights at a hotel for tournaments alone each year.

The association paid the city $132,000 for ice rental last year and has 155 players involved with the program this year, including 83 in Mites this year and 75 at the high school level.

Ulve said many miss summer hockey, with 50% of youth leaving town to play hockey elsewhere in the summer.

The association continues to give back additional money to the city for things like the sound system, boards and other items, and would be happy to help with other things, he said.

He said sports keep kids out of trouble and noted they have a code of conduct they take seriously for players and parents.

Kelly Peterson of the Albert Lea Figure Skating Club said in the last four years, the club has averaged about 55 skaters each year between age 3 and seniors in high school.

They meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. and have one show a year.

Malakowsky emphasized both organizations have stated they would be willing to contribute financially.

Waldorf College also utilizes the ice for its teams.

At the city Aquatic Center, projects are estimated at $1.5 million and would include replacing equipment that is starting to fail, including boilers, water heaters and electrical systems. They also include replacing the lighting with LEDs to reduce energy use and limited remodeling to make some areas more family-friendly and gender-neutral.

The pool opened in 1975 and was rebuilt with new features, including a water slide, in 1998.

At the Marion Ross Performing Arts Center, projects are estimated at $339,000 and would include replacing the front windows where seals are gone, replacing the front doors to make them ADA accessible, installing LED lighting, as well as water conservation measures and HVAC automation.

The theater is owned by the city but managed by Albert Lea Community Theatre.

The restrooms built near the splash pad would serve the downtown, including events such as the Albert Lea Farmers Market, Wind Down Wednesday and Thursdays on Fountain.

Malakowsky said the list of projects was much longer when they started the process and was narrowed down by both the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and city staff.

She told the council that now city staff and Apex need to know what projects the council would like to see move forward.

Albert Lea Mayor Rich Murray asked that more public input be received on the project through community meetings.

“This is not going to be inexpensive by any means,” Murray said. “This is a huge, huge cost.”

Malakowsky said staff are thinking the projects are headed for a referendum, and as part of that there would be open houses and other options.

Murray asked if there were any other options to fund the projects aside from the referendum and if projects could be “piecemealed” together.

City Manager Ian Rig said the city was planning a meeting with its bonding attorney and financial advisers to discuss financing options.

He said right now he saw essentially four options, one of which is limited and another that would require changing ownership to an entity such as the Albert Lea Economic Development Agency. He noted all four options presented challenges or limitations.

Murray said he thinks everyone’s heart is in the right place for the projects in helping make the facilities viable for future generations, but they need to make sure they’re doing the projects in a smart way.

The public is invited to learn more and provide input about the projects at an open house from 4 to 6 p.m. Jan. 4 at City Arena, 701 Lake Chapeau Drive.