Ice Arena bandaid

BGicehockeyfan1 · Post by **BGicehockeyfan1** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:16 am

I understand that while the long, long awaited ice arena plans are to be unveiled tomorrow, the most important piece of that plan will be missing - ice.

Not only are they not going to add a practice sheet of ice where the tennis courts used to be, they are closing the patch ice for locker rooms. While the dress up plans are nice for appearances, the real need is for more ice, not less.

Three high school programs are ready to come to BG, four youth hockey all-star teams would love to practice and play here instead of Findlay. Ice times after 7am and before 11 pm would be available to maintain and increase participation at all levels of hockey. Skating competitions and hockey tournaments could return bringing dollars and potential students to campus.

Unfortunately, those dreams are all gone, but we'll have a nice looking rink as hockey continues to decline in BG.

factman · Post by **factman** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:29 am

What I don't understand, is that if more ice is in such demand in Bowling Green, why doesn't a "private entity" go ahead and build more ice?
I do not feel it is the university's job to subsidize youth hockey in Bowling Green with more ice, if they feel it is not profitable, and if it is profitable, why wouldn't it be done privately?

hockey fan · Post by **hockey fan** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 10:54 am

The thing is an ice arena is sort of like a public good. It's the kind of thing that everyone wants, but no one wants to pay for directly - like a road. True, there are people that run private ice arenas, but a lot of them lose there shirts doing so.

Dayons_Den · Post by **Dayons_Den** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:16 am

factman wrote:What I don't understand, is that if more ice is in such demand in Bowling Green, why doesn't a "private entity" go ahead and build more ice?
I do not feel it is the university's job to subsidize youth hockey in Bowling Green with more ice, if they feel it is not profitable, and if it is profitable, why wouldn't it be done privately?

Bingo.

People talk about not wanting "socialized" this and "socialized" that and keeping the govt. out of their lives and moving towards privatization because no business would run x like the govt. runs x.

Well here is a pretty clear cut situation that if there was money to be made a private entity would step up and make the bundles of money that is to be made. I think that local business people have looked at building a pretty simple sheet and found that the upkeep and demand would not make it profitable, otherwise they would have done it by now.

Man, you want the state to provide education AND ice time? What's next, healthcare???

In Canada and Europe they have "universal" ice time provided by the govt.- their taxes are crazy and you don't get to pick your referees and you'll wait in line at the skate sharpener for 3+ hours!!!

MACMAN · Post by **MACMAN** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:22 am

For starters the patch ice helps no one but the figure skating program and ip.

the rink does need more locker rooms, and before any other ice is added they need to take care of what needs taking care of and that leaves nothing for more ice.
For a long time the community of BG has had the interest to add a city rink....the way things look right now, they should. It is my belief that if the BG skating club and all the hockey programs got together they could easily raise the funds to build a two sheet rink of their own, much like the Tamo set up.
if this effort was coordinated with the city that would be even better...but for some reason the city park is hell bent on riping out the out door pool and building an idoor water park type deal at the "senior" community center.
The univ only needs one sheet of ice for falcon hockey.
would be nice if they had two...but they only need one....the city on the other hand with the hs, and youth hockey programs and figure skating needs two sheets.

factman · Post by **factman** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:53 am

Rather than building a new sheet of ice, it would make more sense to me to turn the curling rink into regular ice for figure skating and the "little guys" to play hockey on. It seems to me that the curling area gets very little use for the amount of space and money that it takes, and could be more wisely used as "regular" ice. Just my thoughts and opinion.

Puckhead · Post by **Puckhead** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 11:58 am

Dayons I love your touch of sarcasm. If you think that ice time is expensive now, wait until ice time is free.

I agree that it would be nice for private enterprise to build another sheet of ice in town, but
1. having the 8 - 10 year olds practice at the Ice Arena and the 11- 12 year old practice at a new arena on Haskins Rd. is very inconvenient.
2. there is function of scale if you add on to the Ice Arena. To add a second sheet you have to increase the capacity, rather that a whole system.
Maintenance staff would have to be increase by 50 % rather than a whole separate staff.
Adding on to the current facility makes much more $ense than a separate facility.
The major expense to the University would be if the exterior decor of the addition has to match the exterior decor of the current facility.

While we were at the U. Conn Tourney, there was a U 17 women tourney in Hartford. I was told that there were 200 teams from the US and Canada. That's 3500 hockey player and parents in town for the weekend. A friend from Thunder Bay players in "Old-Timers" tournaments. Talk about $$ that those events would bring into the city.
Let us hope that we can raise more than the $ 8 million so that we can add another sheet of ice.

Tech83 · Post by **Tech83** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 12:46 pm

Are we REALLY going to rehash this BS again....... The opportunities are there for all parties interested in Hockey in NW Ohio to come to BG and work with the University to make this happen. The Pinheads in NW Ohio are going to get what they deserve...... nothing. This is so FREAKING easy..... Interested Party A picks up phone and talks to Interested Party B and it goes from there.

And Dayons...... who owns the ballpark where your team plays? Certainly not the team owners.

http://www.ay-ziggy-zoomba.com/phpBB2/v ... hlight=ice

Tech83 wrote:My opinion falls with Mr. Mayberry. The Ice Arena needs help. There are a lot of players involved..... the university, the local school system, the city, youth sports....... So let me stop there and say this...... All is not lost.

Without sounding too egotisical, but hell I'm an Architect... so everyone should worship the ground I walk on This would be a dream project and would be easy to get built. But everyone has to come to the table and play. And provide resources.

This is really an economic development project. And this is a proejct dying to have money given to it and could easily get lots of it. Each organization mentioned has funding sources - and I not talking about increasing taxes on the fair citizens of BG or increasing tuition.

It might require some complicated contracts concerning ownership and such, but basically, this project is no different than building 5/3 field in Toledo or Dayton. The State of Ohio would help. The University could help, The Alumni Could help, the city and youth organizations could help.

The problem is that the University (or anyone else involved) does not know how to think outside of the box.

There are special funding sources for economic development and sports facilities/museums and so on fall under that criteria. The City and County could assist in getting those grants or loans. THE STATE OF OHIO LOVES IT WHEN MULTIPLE JURSIDICTIONS GET TOGETHER FOR A PROJECT THAT IS BENEFICIAL TO AN ENTIRE AREA!!!!!!

This is just the type of project I do all the time. You need to hire a grant writer and a fund raiser. The University, City and County all have these.

I could make this project go........ I am so wound up about this that post probably sounds like the ravings of a mad man. But I am telling you, get everyone together and this will happen. I am thinking BIG.

Dayons_Den · Post by **Dayons_Den** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:11 pm

Tech- I think the key here is the private sector party needs to present a plan to the govt. factors.

You mention my ballpark- it really is a jewel of modern finance solutions. It was a three-pronged project- city, state, and private. The state owned the land the park is on, the city partially financed the construction, and the private llc (team owners) operate the facility. The city's old park was outdated and frankly dangerous, the state college who owned the land needed a better venue to call their own for their successful baseball program, and the private entity had a plan and blue print for success. Ten years later the park hosts civic functions, college baseball, minor league baseball, concerts and a range of other events.

What the ice arena needs is an investor or someone with a well thought out plan to serve as a catalyst.

It is not primarily the U's responsibility to come up with a come up with a solution for things such as ice time for the BGYHA or extra tourneys. Certainly they would/will benefit from these things and if presented with such a plan to reach those goals I would hope/assume they would work with the interested investors.

I believe in projects that better the community, a redevelopment of the BGSU Ice Arena could be such a project. I just feel that it is not in the university's operating statement to agressively seek out these situations, again I feel a secondary party, perhaps with more experience in such a plan and operation of a mixed use facility would be best to spearhead the project.

Tech83 · Post by **Tech83** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 1:32 pm

Dayons_Den wrote:The state owned the land the park is on, the city partially financed the construction, and the private llc (team owners) operate the facility.

In otherwords..... the private group (the teamowners) did not add a dime to the land acquision or construction..... but they "run the facility" in lieu of paying rent. Let's not muddy the waters..... "You either build us a new ballpark or we're leaving town." What you describe is the legal arrangement that was made to keep the ball team in town. Nothing more nothing less....... Now realize I am being the Devil's Advocate here.

Dayons_Den wrote:What the ice arena needs is an investor or someone with a well thought out plan to serve as a catalyst.

No not really. The U can do their plans and everything will be fine- They are the catalyst.... however, there will be people who think they should be included in the conversation..... and until they come up with the guts to make a phone call and to actually start talking about monetary contributions (in your word become a catalyst)...... they need to shut up (I think you agree with me)

Dayons_Den wrote:It is not primarily the U's responsibility to come up with a come up with a solution for things such as ice time for the BGYHA or extra tourneys. Certainly they would/will benefit from these things and if presented with such a plan to reach those goals I would hope/assume they would work with the interested investors.

I didn't say the U was Interested Party A..... they have their plan.... its up to the other parties to step forward and figure out how they can be involved (in both the risks and benefits)

Dayons_Den wrote:I believe in projects that better the community, a redevelopment of the BGSU Ice Arena could be such a project. I just feel that it is not in the university's operating statement to agressively seek out these situations, again I feel a secondary party, perhaps with more experience in such a plan and operation of a mixed use facility would be best to spearhead the project.

It is not in the operating statement of any governmental body or subset (such as a public institution of higher learning) to construct ball parks and arenas for private individuals but its done everyday. (again - I'm being the trouble maker

)

I think you made my point very eloquently...... this could be a great project that can serve a lot of interests and have a wider economic impact on BG and Wood County...... its up to thoses parties..... if the are actually Interested Party A to pick up the phone and begin a dialoque........

However, that being said, BG (President and Trustees) could play the role of visionaryand approach the city and the county to gauge their interest.... not only in this building, but other programs. I mean..... they are supposed to be the brightest people in town.... right?

All of you Converatives should rally around the idea of sharing costs and ammenities as to reduce duplication. It would be STUPID for BG to build an Ice Arena or a private entity, when there is already one in the marketplace.

Dayons_Den · Post by **Dayons_Den** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:03 pm

I think you made my point very eloquently...... this could be a great project that can serve a lot of interests and have a wider economic impact on BG and Wood County...... its up to those parties..... if the are actually Interested Party A to pick up the phone and begin a dialog........

However, that being said, BG (President and Trustees) could play the role of visionary and approach the city and the county to gauge their interest.... not only in this building, but other programs. I mean..... they are supposed to be the brightest people in town.... right?

Tech- you hit it spot on right here.

You know which party I think should get the ball rolling, but either way the crux of the issue lies with someone to create and do instead of just accept the current situation or complain about the current situation.

Hope and change are both good, but it is progress that is needed. . .

As I pointed out in my first sarcasm riddled post, I truly wonder if there is an interested party that could get involved.

Tech83 · Post by **Tech83** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 2:09 pm

DD- You know what I find funny (both haha and strange) - we have posters who act like they know everything and everyone and if they really did, they could pick-up the phone and be THE player to make this go..... but instead they ust talk..... which means they know nothing and no one.

The Niz · Post by **The Niz** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:24 pm

Has anyone posed this question on the BG athletics site to GC? I am very interested in what he and maybe the top of the university have to say on this matter.

Furthermore, the 'official plans' are unkown until tommorrow. Maybe we are the brightest people in town and the big announcement is that we are to add a second sheet and become a hockey enterprise in NW Ohio.

BGDrew · Post by **BGDrew** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:31 pm

There was nothing released in the Master Plan PDF that talked about the need for a 2nd sheet. That seems to be a pretty far fetched possibility at this point.

MACMAN · Post by **MACMAN** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 4:31 pm

a simple Morton building to put a sheet of ice down inside of with seating for 1200-1500.
a new two rink project would cost about 2.2-2.5 million.
a single sheet which is all that the city needs as a stand alone venture is bit less than half of that with tons of locker room space etc..
the only thing looking to be done is create some openings i the prime hours, 230pm-10pm the this would create more ice time for local hs players and travel teams

shoot if the city were thinking the roller hockey rink would have been designed to create a nice outdoor rink in the winter for this purpose.