#2 Discuss/possible action on proposed renovations to Ice Skating CenterCITY MANAGER DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
February 9, 2011
TO: City Council
FROM: Eric J. Levitt, City Manager
SUBJECT: Discussion/possible action on proposed renovations to
Janesville Ice Skating Center.
Summary / Background
In 2008, the City performed some preliminary evaluations of issues and possible
deficiencies at the ice rink. During the spring of 2009, the City experienced
several small failures and one large failure of the ice cooling system. In addition,
there have been some continual structural concerns with the facility including the
roof. Temporary repairs have been completed over the last year while a review
of the current ice rink status has been on-going.
A group of Janesville residents began developing a proposal to form a
partnership with the City of Janesville to build a new rink rather than renovate the
current rink. The proposed rink was proposed in several sites. The proposed
partnership evolved over the summer 2009. The proposal on October 262009
had the following elements:
The building and one sheet of ice would cost approximately $4 million (not
including land).
The expansion to a second sheet of ice would cost approximately an
additional $1 million.
The City is requested to commit an initial $2 million and an additional
$500,000 when funds are raised for a second sheet of ice.
The proposal projected the City to close its current $85,000 actual subsidy
to a $0 operational subsidy when 2 sheets of ice are operational.
The proposal discusses the expansion of users at the current rink over the
last year
The City Manager indicated to the group that due to concerns with
competitive bidding, it would be his recommendation that if the City had
ownership and responsibility for the operations of the facility that he
believes that it would be best to competitively bid the project management
and construction.
The City Council in October approved $2 million in public funds for a one-sheet
ice rink and up to $2.5 million in public funds for a two-sheet ice rink if private
funds were raised to complete the facility. It was also approved to place the rink
on the South side after discussion on location. The City currently has $2 million
available for the rehabilitation of the current rink, the construction of a new rink or
other eligible uses.
The City contracted with an outside firm, Rink Management Services
Corporation, during the Spring 2010 for approximately $10,000 to do an overview
evaluation of the current rink and the plans to construct a new rink. Typically to
perform an intensive study of the current rink and evaluate the feasibility of a new
facility would cost between $30,000 and $60,000. However, the City Manager
believed that an abbreviated study for under $10,000 would provide enough valid
information to provide a more informed decision.
The Janesville Ice Rink Evaluation Committee reviewed the recommendation of
the outside consultant and then evaluated potential increased revenue sources.
This report is attached.
The City Council extended the deadline for the private group to come forward
with $1.5 million in matching funds to December 31, 2010 (which was estimated
to be 75% of the required matching funds).
After receiving confirmation that the outside group was unable to come up with
the matching funds, the City Manager requested that Engineering provide the
City Council with 3 estimates based on three levels of improvements to the ice
center. Those estimates are attached. These estimates are based on estimates
in construction on a general guideline of improvements.
City Manager Recommendation:
I recommend that the City Council move forward with renovating the current ice
rink. I will lay out the elements of my recommendation.
1. My first recommendation is that the City Council provide direction on
which level of improvements that the City Council would prefer that we
move forward with.
a. The basic option would improve the operations of the facility and
ice, but would not enhance any of the amenities. This is a basic
improvement and is the intended improvement discussed
approximately 2 years ago. It would be less than $1.5 million and
would leave $500,000 for property acquisition. Looking toward the
future, this level of improvement would be best if you plan to build a
new facility in the next 10 years.
b. The Intermediate option. Would provide enhancements that would
benefit the direct users of the facilities, but would either require
outside funding assistance or reduce the amount available of
2
existing funds for property acquisition and construction of the fire
facility.
c. The Long-term option would be best utilized if you plan to continue
to utilize the facility out 10 to 20 years. This option would likely use
the entire $2 million and may require additional borrowing.
2. I would recommend that the City Council provide clear direction. One
bid out the basic option, but
recommended direction would be to
provide for alternative bids on the other two options to evaluate
pricing
. If you do follow this recommendation, I recommend that you
clearly communicate what your preference is related to funding so that
when we work with the user groups on design issues, there is a clear
understanding of the parameters.
3. I believe the first step after your decision would be for the City to hire a
firm to design the improvements and then establish a user group
committee appointed by the City Manager to work with the City on the
design. The Ice Center Advisory Group’s mission is to discuss issues
related to operations and not the design of a new facility.
4. The City would anticipate construction in 2012. There may be areas that
would need repair attention in the interim, but this would be more cost
effective for instance than putting in the mechanicals this year and then
having to relocate them next year based on a different design.
5. Finally, my objective is to time the construction for the time period
between mid-April 2012 and September 1, 2012. If additional time is
needed, my goal is to have work that effects the ice surface occur during
that time period in order to have activity on the ice in September 2012.
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Potential Revenue Gain
______________________________________________________
Projected Revenues
2010 Increase for 2 sheets Projected Totals
Public Totals $34,000 $31,000 $65,000
Program Totals $33,000 $ 4,000 $37,000
Youth Hockey $84,000 $65,000 $149,000
Janesville Jets $27,000 $8,000 $35,000
Ice Rentals $58,000 ---0--- $58,000
Figure Skating $12,000 $68,000 $80,000
Concession $5,000 $2,000 $7,000
Bluebirds/Fury H.S. ---0--- $25,000 $25,000
Pro Shop $1,000 $500 $1,500
$254,000 $457,500
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS MEMORANDUM
February 3, 2011
TO: Eric Levitt, City Manager
FROM: Mike Payne, Engineering Manager
SUBJECT: Conceptual Ice Center Renovation Budget Ranges
Carl Weber and I worked with Angus Young Associates to define three options for
renovating the existing Ice Center facility. The following summarizes three options
accompanied by a range of costs:
Basic Option ($1,000,000 to $1,300,000)
Mechanical and structural improvements including repair or
o
replacement of the following components:
Ice making system
Roof
Fire suppression system
Lights over ice surface
Boiler
Dehumidification system
South block wall
Fire doors
Miscellaneous mechanical and structural components
Intermediate Option ($1,305,000 to $1,715,000)
Basic Improvement items
o
Building expansion to relocate mechanical room and zamboni area
o
Renovation of existing mechanical and zamboni areas to create
o
additional locker room space including restroom/shower facilities
Long Term Option ($2,365,000 to $3,035,000)
Basic Improvement items
o
Intermediate Improvement items
o
Expanded seating
o
Expanded parking for increased capacity
o
Expanded restroom facilities to meet code for increased capacity
o
Expanded program and storage space
o
Attachments: conceptual plans for all three options
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