Soil borings could delay ice arena construction, J & J Land Sales to pay for any needed fill

A second amendment to the ice arena land purchase agreement that stipulates J & J Land Sales will be responsible for any soil corrections needed before construction begins was approved by the Watertown City Council.

The action was taken during Monday evening's meeting.

Corrections to the soil might be needed, and the amendment dictates that J & J will cover any costs.

"They will be responsible for bringing in fill and making the site suitable for construction," said Assistant City Engineer Justin Petersen.

He also informed the council that the amendment allows closing on the purchase agreement before the competition of any soil corrections.

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The corrections could cause a slight delay in construction. But Councilman Michael Danforth said there would certainly be a delay by not taking action.

"An assured delay in the startup of this," said Danforth. "Whereas by approving it, we have a possibility of a delay if they were to find borings that were not satisfactory."

The council approved the motion unanimously.

The city paid $500,000 for the land.

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The arena will include two sheets of ice. The main sheet of ice will feature 1,500 seats, and the second sheet will have 250 bleacher-style seats. It's being built just west of 31st Street Southeast in a new development north of Willow Creek. There's room for a potential third sheet of ice in the future, if needed.

Ice arena maximum price set 

The council also approved an amendment to the ice arena's RJM construction manager at-risk contract with RJM Construction. It guarantees a maximum construction price of $31.9 million. With additional costs, the total ice arena expense is $36.37 million.

The ice arena is being paid for with a $5.8 million from the city's 504 fund, and $20 million and $10 million sales tax revenue bonds. The remaining dollars come from donations from the Build It Now fundraising committee. That includes a $3.5 million donation from Prairie Lakes Healthcare for naming rights. The 504 fund has held money for the ice arena for years.