Council hears new rink pitch
JANESVILLE — City council members on Tuesday partnered with a private group to determine whether the two could work together to build a new ice arena in Janesville.
Council member Frank Perrotto, in fact, urged the group to "expedite" its quest, which will include meeting with city staff and testing the fundraising waters.
The group, affiliated with the Janesville Youth Hockey Club, has proposed building a $4-million ice rink. The existing rink needs at least $1.5 million in repairs, and the group has asked the city to chip in up to $2.5 million for a new one instead.
"I would like to see you actually expedite this as quickly as possible," Perrotto told the group. "I certainly am very interested in looking at an alternative to our existing facility if it makes sense.
"We have an existing facility that is in dire need of repair. If we reach a point where we have to fix it, the likelihood of spending more money to do your project becomes less likely."
Perrotto said the $2.5 million requested by the group "is a lot to swallow," and $1.5 million might be a more realistic amount.
Council member Russ Steeber questioned whether the suggested location at the Youth Sports Complex is the right place, and if a more central location might possibly be found.
But council member Tom McDonald said the city also must get answers to questions, such as the possible uses for the current facility and what the city spends there on operating costs.
Council member George Brunner called the proposal "interesting," one that should be the subject of more discussions. He noted the poor economy makes the project's timing difficult, but added the city supports other recreational facilities and companies look for amenities when deciding where to locate.
Larry Squire, a member of the private group, said the timing was "kind of thrust upon us." But he agreed maybe that's the time to "get a little bold."
Squire said it is easier to raise private money with the promise of public money, and said he believed the details could be worked out.
Council member Yuri Rashkin said he is inclined to promise only the $1.5 million that would have been spent to fix the old facility.
"The idea is definitely interesting," said Rashkin, who wondered aloud how difficult it would be for the group to raise the money.
"That's what we need to find out," Squire said.
May 29, 2009 at 1:20 p.m.
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mooshoo and all the other constant complainers need to stop playing the victim role, do you think everyone is out to make your life miserable? Is everyone out to get you in some way? People like yourselves are called COMMUNITY CANCER. Never anything good to say unless it directly effects you. You have two options, run for city council or the better choice would be to MOVE somewhere else. Lets face it there is no better time for a new rink than now with contractors slashing prices to stay busy. Janesville has had an ice rink for 35 years and i dont see them getting rid of it. So either put 2 mil. into a 35 year old structure and still have no room for seating and the low ceilings you never see at other rinks or the better option build new.
May 29, 2009 at 12:28 a.m.
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So are we to just shut it down and not fix the rink as the needed repairs are to be made?? Hannah(fat wallets and pay for it.)(Only those of you who have money and fame or whatever it is that you think your so special "count") Two things here,no fat wallet. Layed off also. 2nd No fame or special. I'm for fixing the rink or new. My kids do play hockey. But I am far from being special. So my kids and all kids that play or figure skate should just stop. Also all the people that just skate. Like I've said befor the city and the people will servive this
May 28, 2009 at 11:12 p.m.
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Why do think the Council approved the $200K? Because no one has SHOWED THEM THE MONEY! It has been all talk and no show. You hockey jocks and WHP need to put up or shut up. Quit pulling our puds and come up with some serious cash. Then, maybe then, you might have a public/private deal.
May 28, 2009 at 10:21 p.m.
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Tobin Ryan a.k.a. brother to Paul. Why not talk your brother into an ARRA earmark for your little hockey venture? Oh, that right, stimulus is spending O.P.M. (Other Peoples' Money) and that ain't right for fiscally conservative republicans. But Tobin does not have any problem spending your property tax dollars and mine. Go figure.
May 28, 2009 at 10 p.m.
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Because wiphin, they started this whole mess. You are naive beyond belief if you do not think they have a hand in this bait and switch.
May 28, 2009 at 9:33 p.m.
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MooShoo, wisconsin hockey partners did NOT ask for a new rink. Why should they pony up? They have an agreement that pays for ice time just like anyone else.
May 28, 2009 at 9:30 p.m.
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If you build it, many will come. Just not the closed minded people who feel that it is easier to shut this whole idea down because it is nothing that they will go to.
May 28, 2009 at 1:58 p.m.
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If it gets approved it will cost well over 4 million, be prepared for that.
May 28, 2009 at 1:01 p.m.
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Oh and hannah the 4.5 million includes both sheets of ice. I have been to some meetings about the new rink so I know all about it.
May 28, 2009 at 1 p.m.
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I know all about it. Never said I didn't know about it, I didn't come up with the plan. I like the plan however.
May 28, 2009 at 12:45 p.m.
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I am not closed minded. I am open minded. I don't mind a bit if Wisconsin Hockey Partners pony up for this project. Wisconsin Hockey Partners includes Bill McCoshen, Capital Consultants, Madison; Mark Cullen, JP Cullen, Janesville; Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks, National Hockey League; and Steve King and Tobin Ryan, King Equity, Milton
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Four million dollars is chump change from this group. I'll bet that Larry Squire's bank can easily make them a non-collateralized $4 million loan.
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After all is said and done, it is money that talks and B.S. walks.
May 28, 2009 at 12:44 p.m.
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Sorry to disappoint you I have no friends on the city council either. Just an average citizen of Janesville whose child likes to skate.
May 28, 2009 at 12:42 p.m.
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hannah where are you getting the idea that I want 2 shetts of ice, I want a place that my child can do their sports that is kept up and not a danger to my childs health. If they get the old one fixed great if we get a new one great. It was not my idea for the new rink. I never said it was, and yes I would like a new rink for a lot of reasons, which I am not going to list for you.
May 28, 2009 at 12:06 p.m.
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If you build it, no one will come.
May 28, 2009 at 12:02 p.m.
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Aren't we all important people. I am not talking council people I am talking about citizens in general who want this. I used it from a reference from a blogger saying pitch it to the people who count. (in biggirls post)
I do know alot of people who want this and they are just normal citizens. That is who I meant.
May 28, 2009 at 10:23 a.m.
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I shouldn't say everyone complains. There are a lot of people in Janesville that like what Janesville has to offer. Things like this do bring out the complainers and the blogs, Sound Off and letters to the Editor will be filled by them. It seems like for every 5 complaints there is only 1 positive so it does seem like everyone complains! I know not everyone will be happy with every decision but I know I want my council members to make decisions that are best for the CITY. Any addition that will help the city and bring in more traffic and money should never just be dismissed because it might cost the city some money.
May 28, 2009 at 10:22 a.m.
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Hannah I do support the ice rink and I do give plenty of money to support it. You don't seem to get that there a people who do want this, and not just a few. I want the city I live in to have things for my childeren to do, not all childern play football, soccor, baseball some play hockey or figure skate and I feel these children should have just as much chance to do their sports, they shouldn't have to go outside of Janesville to do them either. I am not closed minded like a lot of people who live in Janesville.
May 28, 2009 at 10:09 a.m.
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spikesmom - Some do complain there is nothing to do in this town. Some people complain there is nothing to do in any town or city, I've heard it said by some who live in Chicago.
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Those that complain there is nothing to do need to be entertained, they are unable to entertain themselves.
Those that complain there is nothing to do will never be happy despite how much of other people's tax money is spent on ice rinks & children's museums.
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Those that complain there is nothing to do have empty, unfulfilling lives or small minds. While those with self reliant values and love for their family and community are kept very busy working or trying to find work for their family, caring for their family or extended family, saving for the future, volunteering in their community and teaching their children to do the same.
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Ask a child who was taught to give and he or she will say their is always something to do. Takers need to be given to and to be entertained while givers have too much to do.
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Not everyone complains there is nothing to do.
May 28, 2009 at 9:46 a.m.
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Hey Hannah, why don't you tell us what you like to do for fun in Janesville? Where do you spend time? I'm sure there are things you do that a lot of us don't. Does that mean that those places should never ask the city for money to help maintain or improve? Wouldn't you be upset if the city refused to give them money, should they ever need it? Not everybody here is going to like or do the same things. That does not mean the city shouldn't ever help anyone. If the investors want this thing bad enough, they will figure out a way to raise enough money so that it won't cost the city too much.
May 28, 2009 at 9:19 a.m.
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Everybody complains that there is never anything to do in this city. Then when someone either wants to improve something or build a new something, people complain. Janesville can't just roll up the sidewalks because the economy is bad and GM has shut down. There are still 60,000 people here and I know a lot of them are getting tired of having to always go to other cities to do things. Let Janesville grow and let people bring ideas to the council that will help Janesville grow. Will it sometimes cost money? Yes. Are there other things that could stand to be fixed? Yes. You'll find that in all cities. Other cities are still able to grow and give it's residents things to do. Think big picture. Just because there are people that will never use the ice arena, that doesn't mean other people won't. A new, modern ice rink might even bring people in from other areas. That means dollars spent in Janesville.
May 28, 2009 at 9:13 a.m.
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Give them the 1.5 only when they have raised the 2.5 millionand then sell them the land for a dollar..... case solved.
May 28, 2009 at 8:27 a.m.
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Outdoor rinks do not work with today's climate. At most you get 4 - 6 weeks of ice. So, do you all think that referendum is free. How much is the cost, do you know?
May 28, 2009 at 7:55 a.m.
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The Council could show its care for youth by bringing back neighborhood outdoor rinks. You would get 100 times the youth learning to skate at 1/100 th the cost.
May 28, 2009 at 7:38 a.m.
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There are alot of citizens (who count)that want this new rink.
May 28, 2009 at 7:30 a.m.
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And, who owns this rink that we spend so much money on? Who gets the profit from the concession sales? I'm entirely against this expense, especially as they are worrying about enough money for the school system. If we're going to do it, however, we as a community should decide rather than a cabal of business people. Put it to a referendum, make your case to the people who count -- the citizens.
May 27, 2009 at 10:29 p.m.
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I want to hear the sound of the crowd cheering as the city council crumples up the paper this proposal is printed on and makes a three-point shot at the wastebasket.
May 27, 2009 at 10:19 p.m.
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bla bla bla. So are we to just shut it down and not fix the rink as the needed repairs are to be made?? As some of you say, we should wait to the economy improves. But that wont be good enough either because it could cost even more and you will still complain. Now is the time. The city and the people will survive.
May 27, 2009 at 10:18 p.m.
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The councilmembers had to grow a pair to run for office. Then another pair for dealing with people who complain about everything. It's not a perfect world. Let the process play out, not just spouting off before anything is a done deal which will take alot of work.Remember, we are talking about the future of our youth. Or does our youth not matter to us?
May 27, 2009 at 10:06 p.m.
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Note to Council: time to grow a pair.
May 27, 2009 at 10:05 p.m.
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I can't believe last night someone still was complaining about the beer issue. Let it go. The city in no way will just fork over that kind of money. BUT, the more money raised by JYHA and private sector makes this possible. Alot of work to do first before this gets real deep. If my powerball #s match, I will pay for it.
Remember Miller Park? It was very unpopular, but now we see it was worth it.
May 27, 2009 at 9:46 p.m.
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Note to Larry Squire. If you think you feel this project was "kind of thrust upon us", trust me, you are only feeling the tip of the shaft that has been thrust upon the greater public.
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Note to Frank. Yes indeed, $2.5 million "is a lot to swallow". You and fellow council members have gone from trustworthy to tHrustworthy. See Larry's quote for the definition of tHrustworthy.
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We have all been violated by this rush to throw public money into a bait and switch.
May 27, 2009 at 8:06 p.m.
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Just think of the jobs that could be created to build a gate around our community...
It's only the beginning.
May 27, 2009 at 8:05 p.m.
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Even pay to live in our city.
The entrance fee could solve a lot of our problems.
May 27, 2009 at 8:03 p.m.
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It's time to privatize everything.
Pay to play.
May 27, 2009 at 8:02 p.m.
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Here we go people complaining again. This is going to be good for our city if it passes.
May 27, 2009 at 7:14 p.m.
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right on Sandman! I for one will help out anyway I can to get a referendum going to stop this thing!
May 27, 2009 at 6:48 p.m.
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These people are absolutely nuts -- and that goes for the counsel and the taxpayers who in this time of financial crisis would even consider such an absurdity.
I predicted in a previous post that this was exactly what would happen, and that the beer license and the $200k would soon turn into millions as the existing facility could not support the proposed use. But I never predicted that it would happen this soon, before they even got a team together and tested the ice for a season.
THIS IS A SCAM, and as a taxpayer in a city which hasn't even tasted the localized depths of the economic recession (wait till real estate taxes start NOT rolling in!), it's unconscionable and absurd.
AT THESE PRICES, THE VOTERS NEED TO HAVE A KICK AT IT, not just a little counsel discussion.
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