Janesville City Council enthusiastically approves Junior A hockey
Janesville's City Council supports bringing a Junior A Hockey team to the city's ice arena.
Monday night, the council approved spending $29,000 to hire an architect to prepare necessary modification plans for the ice arena. However, the council was so enthusiastic about the project it also approved a resolution funding $200,000 for the modifications. That resolution wasn't yet on the agenda, but it was mentioned in the presentations.
The council unanimously approved spending $229,000. Councilman George Brunner was absent.
Despite the vote of approval, the $200,000 worth of modifications should come back to the council at its February 9th meeting.
Part of the architect's plans will likely include a separate section for alcohol sales. Despite assurances from a hockey spokesman, Councilmembers Russ Steeber and Bill Truman voiced concern that beer sales will take place in an area frequented by families.
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Jan 28, 2009 at 8:31 p.m.
Suggest removal
What is the absolute worse case scenario here?
- The rink gets some needed mods (it NEEDS upgrades) and the team leaves due to whatever reason, after a couple years (I hope they are here for a LONG time).
All we tax payers have paid is <$10 over a 10 year note and we have a rink with much needed upgrades to show for it.
I spend over 5 times that much, twice a month, going to work and back (take the Van Gelder bus to O'Hare and back).
With this team, the kids, community and businesses benefit.
What else can you invest in that will help Janesville like this and cost this little?
Yeah the economy is tanking...do we have to dwell on it? Can't we, as a community, have something good to rally around?
The glass is not half empty folks, it is half full.
Janesville will become much more attractive to hockey fans and players with the addition of this team.
As a former player and current hockey father with two players in the game, this is nothing but good for my family and I.
I think the only way it gets better is if we got a USHL, AHL or NHL team....fat chance...but we can dream.
Ed Stettin
2643 Cumberland Drive
Jan 27, 2009 at 7:44 a.m.
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We're talking about cutting teachers in one story and in another we're giving away 290,000 for a Junior A Hockey Team? So sad.
Jan 27, 2009 at 12:50 a.m.
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I am not against having a Junior A hockey team here, but I am against having it rammed through so quickly. Did anyone here even speak with those serving on councils, etc., in other league cities? Why did it have to be approved so quickly? From what I read before tonight, I had not heard of other locations competing for the team. Still, I hope all turns out well with this adventure. P.S. I admit I know absolutely nothing about the cost of an architect's work, but $29,000 seems like a lot to just draw up plans for changing rooms and office space.
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