Due to the Virginia Street Bridge replacement construction, the ice rink downtown located on the Virginia Street plaza in front of City Hall will be relocated temporarily to a new location, most likely the Reno Aces Ball Park.
The ice rink is a big deal for the city. It produces a yearly profit of over $100,000 for the general fund, and 37,000 people used it last season. Profits and use are growing yearly.
A fairly long discussion ensued yesterday at the Redevelopment Agency Board meeting regarding a sublease agreement with SK Baseball to relocate the ice rink to the front of the stadium during its four operating months in the winter. It would be placed in the large grassy area (see renderings below.) You can view the discussion on You Tube in its entirety by clicking here. I already que'd it up for ya. Be prepared for an hour-and-a-half discussion though.
Here are the highlights of the discussion:
- The ice rink has to be moved because the 10 North Virginia plaza is going to be used as a staging area and storage depot during construction of the new bridge for Virginia Street. There was debate over whether to risk delaying construction of the bridge, which goes out to bid in the fall, in order to operate the ice rink for another full season at its current location, or move it temporarily thus ensuring its existence during construction and not delaying the bridge. It was decided the best option is to move it, since the bridge replacement project will likely go out to bid in the fall and staging beginning as early as December.
- Moving it to a park location was not feasible given grading requirements and budget costs of moving it, which would be about $100,000 minimum, and probably more depending on the park site.
- SK Baseball stepped in with a proposal to move it to the front of the ballpark (see renderings below.) They would be responsible for the operating costs, installing the chillers, staffing and security, plus operating surrounding amenities including the Freight House district itself. This would give people an indoor location to warm up. They would handle skate rentals as well. They would receive the profits from operating the ice rink, which they expect to break even-ish.
- SK Baseball doesn't intend to raise the prices of ice skating when the rink is moved to their location. They plan to invest considerable marketing into the ice rink using resources the City of Reno currently lacks.
- The minimum size of the new rink would be 100x85. SK Baseball said they couldn't guarantee a larger size, but would discuss it at their next meeting. They mentioned American Ice, the company who installs the chillers for the current ice rink and for the new proposed one at the ball park, said capacity and skate rental levels wouldn't warrant a size larger than 100x85, but the redevelopment agency board still wasn't happy with the smaller size, particularly Jenny Brukkus and Hillary Schieve. The current ice rink size is 185x85. Local skate groups mentioned at the meeting Reno is known throughout Nevada and California for its large rink size downtown. I say go with the size our rink currently is, because I have seen our rink pretty darn crowded during holiday periods. When something is on a growing spurt, you don't downsize it. I really feel a smaller rink would effect the skating experience, so I hope Sk Baseball considers keeping it 185x85.
- The agreement would be for three years, after which the city council (redevelopment agency board) would have the option to move it back to the 10 North Virginia location or perhaps a more permanent location elsewhere.
- The current ice rink produces a profit for the city including $110,000 directly into the general fund...however there is no option but to move it temporarily due to bridge construction.
- During discussion, it was sort-of leaked out and confirmed that a private party is interested in purchasing the 10 North Virginia Street property, for one of two possible uses. The words 'Corporate headquarters' were mentioned right before city attorney Tracy Chase quickly stopped the discussion, citing it was drifting too far from the original agenda item and that the board would have the opportunity in the future to hear and vote on any possible sale of the property.as a separate agenda item. Darn her! Jenny Brukkus was reassured the ice rink was moving because of the bridge construction and not because a private party was interested in the property, although it was also mentioned the buyer was willing to pay appraised value for the property. Hmmmmmmmmmm. Corporate headquarters for whom I wonder?
- It was also mentioned during the discussion that the large vacant lot the Waterfront tower was to be built on (2nd Street and Lake) has recently sold, though nothing is coming up as a recorded sale yet. The rumor on the street is possibly Herb Simon, or another well known downtown investor.
For your convenience below is an embed of yesterday's meeting. The Redevelopment Agency meeting begins at around the 2:58;50 mark.
Moving the rink in front of the baseball stadium and letting SK handle the logistics could work out pretty well for everyone. But ... shrinking the rink by almost half the length? There's no way we'd spend our money there as it's already packed on a lot of nights. Hopefully they figure this out.