6c Chaska/Chan Hockey AssocCITY OF
690 COULTER DRIVE · P.O. BOX 147 · CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937-1900 · FAX (612) 937-5739
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUB J:
Park and Recreation Commission
Todd Hoffman, Park and Recreation Director
May 15, 1996
ChaskaJChanhassen Hockey Association, Pursuit of An Indoor Ice Arena
The attached report is being reviewed with the Housing and Redevelopment Authority on
Thursday, May 16, 1996. What positions do Commissioners hold in this regard? On
Tuesday night. I will provide the Commission with a verbal report of the outcome of the
HRA meeting.
G :\park\th\arena
CITY OF
690 COULTER DRIVE · P.O. BOX 147 · CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937-1900 · FAX (612) 937-5739
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUB J:
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Todd Hoffman, Park & Recreation Director
May 7,1996
Construction of an Indoor Ice Arena, Chaska/Chanhassen Hockey Association
The Chaska/Chanhassen Hockey Association (CCHA) is seeking to construct an ice arena by the
end of the year. The Association has been exploring potential locations in Chaska, Victoria and
Chanhassen. Both Mayor Chmiel, Councilman Berquist and others have inquired about the
appropriateness of Lots 5 and 6, Chanhassen Lakes Business Park 5th Addition. These lots are
currently the property of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA)o
The attached letter addressed to Mr. Steve Olinger, the President of the CCHA, has been
reviewed by the Association's committee working on this project. Mr. Olinger and/or other
members of the committee will be present at your May 16 meeting to elaborate on their plans.
Would the HRA be willing to lease/sell Lots 5 and 6 or a portion thereof to the CCHA for the
purpose of constructing an indoor ice arena? If so, would you consider a price of $1 for a 50-100
year lease? Unbuildable soils have prohibited the development of these two lots to date. Would
the HRA consider assisting the Association with soil corrections?
As I stated in my ietter to Mr. Olinger, the extent of soil corrections is a "big" wild card in this
entire scenario. Our inquiries with the previous owner (Opus Corporation)has only substantiated
our speculation that a large percentage of the open land in Lots 5 and 6 is "bottomless." Records
of past soil exploration studies have not yet been located. If records cannot be located or if soil
borings were never completed, does the HRA wish to commission a soils survey?
The construction of an ice arena would provide recreation for our community, act as a gathering
point, and bring additional commerce to town. If Lots 5 and 6 do not work out, is the HRA
interested in seeing another location pursued?
The Association and I look forward to discussing this issue with you on the 16th.
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CITY OF
690 COULTER DRIVE · P.O. BOX 147 · CHANHASSEN, MINNESOTA 55317
(612) 937-1900 · FAX (612) 937-5739
May 3, 1996
Mr. Steve Olinger, President
Chaska/Chanhassen Hockey Association
4940 Viking Drive, Suite 600
Edina, MN 55435
Dear Steve:
This letter is a follow up of our meetings of March 22 and May 2, 1996. The City of Chanhassen Park
and Recreation Department is pleased to facilitate the exploration of Lots 5 and 6, Chanhassen Lakes
Business Park 5th Addition as a possible location for an ice arena. As you know, this property is owned
by the Chanhassen Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). The presence of poor soils in these
two lots diminishes their marketability. These conditions led to the previous owner (Opus) selling the
lots to the HRA.
If you decide you would like to move forward, I will respectfully request the HRA consider a $1 lease for
a term of 50 to 100 years on this property. If approved, this type of arrangement will certainly make
$100,000 to $200,000 in soil corrections more palatable. Obviously, the extent of soil corrections
required is a big wild card in this entire scenario. I continue to actively pursue additional information
regarding the soils in these two lots.
I have scheduled a presentation regarding the potential of constructing an ice arena at this location before
the HRA for Thursday, May 16, 1996. Subsequent meetings would then be required with the Park &
Recreation Commission, Planning Commission and City Council. Please keep in touch and good luck in
your pursuit of a new arena for the Chaska/Chanhassen Hockey Association.
Sincerely, ~ ~ ·
Todd Hoffman
Park & Recreation Director
C:
Mayor and City Council
Housing and Redevelopment Authority
Park and Recreation Commission
Planning Commission
Don Ashworth, City Manager
Todd Gerhardt, Assistant City Manager
Kate Aanenson, Planning Director
Charles Folch, City Engineer