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As the hockey season has come to an end in Albert Lea, I find myself reflecting on the past year and trying to put my feelings into words. As a current board member of the Albert Lea Hockey Association, our group has finally been able to take a breath and enjoy all the hard work our board, Figure Skating board and city of Albert Lea Arena staff have done in just a few months.

As a graduate of Albert Lea High School, former youth Albert Lea Hockey Association (ALHA) player, former Albert Lea High School hockey player, former coach and current board member, I have spent more time at the Albert Lea ice arena in my lifetime than most other places. My best childhood memories are from the arena — everything from rock on ice to parent/athlete games. These memories hold a special place in my heart, and its hard to imagine what my childhood would have been like if we didn’t have these facilities. Makes me question, would I have ended back in Albert Lea?

I currently own and am the solo attorney at Leach Law. I also work for another locally owned business, Intellicents. My husband owns CS Carpentry here in Albert Lea. My parents own Performance Landscaping, and grandparents owned Leach Sod. My sister moved back to be in this community also. We love Albert Lea. The number one reason I moved home after law school was the sense of community this town brings. Community has been engrained in me growing up and even more today by owning my own business, but I am worried that might start to change.

April 9th the city of Albert Lea residents can make a huge impact on not only our hockey players, but on all residents in this area. The referendum not only impacts the viability of the ice rinks, but also impacts the swimming pool, the community theater and the much-needed restrooms at the North Lot. These necessary maintenance items to our facilities are used by all ages in town. I am fearful that if city residents do not step up and maintain what we currently have we are going to lose some of the most impactful assets we have in the community.

From a person who learned so much living at the ice arena growing up, I urge you look at this referendum not as a tax impact, but what this referendum does for the viability of this community.

Abby Leach Schumaker
Albert Lea