Before moving into a closed session to discuss the sale of property, the Northfield School Board Monday approved a letter of support to the Northfield City Council affirming its intent to continue leasing a new Northfield Ice Arena annually for the foreseeable future.
Before a roll call vote was taken to approve the letter, which was drafted by District Schools Superintendent Matt Hillmann and Board chair Claudia Gonzales-George, an animated discussion ensued about the total costs to taxpayers of a new ice arena.
Board member Jeff Quinnell pressed his fellow board members by questioning a construction project that would get a green light from the City of Northfield without asking for voter approval.
“I’m pro hockey and all that, but why not let the voters decide?” asked Quinnell.
Board member Noel Stratmoen told Quinnell that perhaps his concerns should be addressed to the City Council, rather than the school board.
Quinnell’s line of questioning triggered additional questions from the board.
Board member Jenny Nelson asked if there were any alternatives to spending $21 million on a new ice facility. Hillmann explained the debate over the aging ice facility stretched back at least 10 years, while the latest round of serious discussions began two years ago.
Hillmann said the remodel costs would come fairly close to building a new arena. Plans for constructing a new arena would cost between $21 and $28 million, with most hockey insiders favoring the lower cost model.
The fear, Hillmann said, is that area hockey families would enroll their students in schools that have access to an ice arena, a disastrous financial consequence that could cost the district an estimated $1 million or more loss.
“The most troubling aspect would be no ice,” said Hillmann. “That’s not good for a city of 20,000.”
Board member Nelson asked if the facility would be shared by various parties, and also, if it would be used for non-hockey related events like the ice arena in St. Louis Park. Hillmann said there would be two main groups using the facility, hockey players and ice skaters with Northfield Skating School.
Board member Ben Miller said that he agreed with the assessment that the best way to have solved this conundrum would have been 10 years ago.
Board member Amy Goerwitz said that, while she supports the letter in general, she asked if it would be wise to add in more specific language about usage and flexibility. Hillmann said that the term “ice time” covers all ice-related activities and that the school district would be the priority user.
In a roll call vote, everyone on the board voted yes, except for Quinnell’s lone no.
“We need to support those hockey kids,” said Stratmoen.
The board also approved the 2023-24 Child Nutrition Fund Budget, the 2024-25 General Fund Budget and received an outline of the communications campaign now underway to educate the community about the bond referendum involving the Northfield High School facility that will be included on the November election ballot.
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