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| Skating school not only group wanting new arena |
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By JEFF WALD
Sports Editor
NORTHFIELD - They've nearly tripled in size in the last two years, and now, the Northfield Skating School is on the bandwagon to get a new two-sheet ice skating facility in Northfield.
Hockey programs in Northfield are already pinched for time at Northfield Ice Arena, but when you factor in the rapidly-growing skating school, the need for a new facility comes even more to the forefront. Carey Tinkelenberg, Founder and Executive Director of the Northfield Skating School, said the problems at Northfield Ice Arena have had a direct impact on her programs.
"Our biggest problem for our sessions is that our ice time is terrible," Tinkelenberg said. "Our schools are at different times every week, and we have no control over it. We're the only town of our size around that doesn't have better facilities."
Tinkelenberg runs the "Learn to Skate" program at Northfield Ice Arena. In its first season nearly two years ago, her session consisted of 35 skaters of various ages. She now has 65 skaters in that session this year, and between two sessions, Tinkelenberg and her fellow instructors teach around 160 skaters who range in ages from four years old all the way to 67.
When this group is factored in with all of the hockey programs in Northfield, there's not enough ice team in a week with one rink to make everybody happy. The Northfield Hockey Association has less than 600 hours of ice time per year, and that's 40 percent less than similar size associations. There are also three squirt teams in Northfield consisting of 34 kids who get three hours of practice time a week. Most squirt programs practice four days per week in season. The programs at Northfield High School get 228 hours, which is 27 percent less than the Missota Conference average.
That's where the idea of a two-sheet facility, cultivated by Ice Now, can help all the programs in Northfield that need sufficient ice time.
"The ice arena here is so far behind that it's embarrassing," Tinkelenberg said. "It's not just with hockey, it's also with figure skating. We want to have a club here, but we can't have it without ice time. We want to host shows in the future, and we want to do more private lessons. A new facility will help us take a step in that direction."
Ice Now, a non-profit organization in Northfield, is the chief group trying to get a two-sheet, year-round facility in Northfield. Jim Fischer, the President of Ice Now, and the rest of the group will make a presentation at Monday night's Northfield city council meeting.
While mechanical updates and the purchase of a new Zamboni have been approved, Ice Now wants to discuss the need for a new ice arena, has a statement of needs and will make a proposal for the council's consideration.
"They absolutely can get this done," Tinkelenberg said. "We can barely fit in two sessions as it is with the skating school, and getting a new facility would definitely help us make progressions. There needs to be some partnership from the city and other ice users for it to happen, but it can be done."
Ice Now has identified two possible sites for the new arena, and the projected cost is now between $8 to $10 million. One sheet would be ice year-round, and the other would be seasonal and could be used for soccer, lacrosse and social events in the summer.
If the Northfield Skating School is going to take off like Tinkelenberg wants it to, upgrades to the current facility might not be enough if the city is going to continue a skating school or start a club.
- Jeff Wald can be reached at 645-1111 or jwald@northfieldnews.com. |
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