2 Recommendation /2005 Ice Skating Rink Locations
CITY OF
CHANHASSEN
7700 Market Boulevard
PO Box 147
Chanhassen, MN 55317
Administration
Phone 952.227.1100
Fax 952.227.1110
Building Inspections
Phone 952.227.1180
Fax 952.227.1190
Engineering
Phone 952.227.1160
Fax 952.227.1170
Finance
Phone 952.227.1140
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Park & Recreation
Phone 952.227.1120
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Recreation Center
2310 Coulter Boulevard
Phone 952.227.1400
Fax 952.227.1404
Planning &
Natural Resources
Phone 952.227.1130
Fax: 952.227.1110
Public Works
1591 Park Road
Phone 952.227.1300
Fax 952.227.1310
Senior Center
Phone 952.227.1125
Fax 952.227.1110
Web Site
www.ci.chanhassen.mn.us
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MEMORANDUM
TO:
Park and Recreation Commission
//1
FROM:
Todd Hoffman, Park and Recreation Director
DA TE:
October 14, 2005
SUBJ:
Recommendation Concerning 2005 Ice Skating Rink Locations
On average, the city's outdoor ice skating rinks have been available to residents for
55 days per winter season since 1982. Traditionally, our community park sites
receive the majority of use for skating, with "neighborhood" park sites being used
very little relative to the "community" rinks. This past season, the city flooded eight
rinks at four community park sites. As recently as 2000/01, we flooded fifteen rinks
at eleven different locations. In 2001102 and again in 2002/03, the majority of our
low use rinks were not flooded due to a combination of warm winter temperatures
and low attendance numbers.
This past season, each of the eight rinks we flooded required an investment of $3000
in labor and materials. Spread that over an entire season and each rink requires an
investment of approximately $55 per day to operate. Divide this by the number of
skaters typically found at a community ice rink and the cost per skater is very
reasonable. Consider locations where days go by without a single skater showing up
and the same value is not realized.
The scenario of deleting rinks and then having residents attend a Park and Recreation
Commission meeting asking for them back is not new to the City. Rinks at
Minnewashta Heights Park and Chanhassen Hills Park have been deleted, brought
back, and deleted again. The phenomenon of not missing something until it is gone
(even though you may not use it that much) is definitely at play in these instances.
Staff, like the Commission is not immune to the desire to provide a service to the
community when they request it. However, past experience has demonstrated that
outdoor ice rinks and outdoor skating activities are diminishing in popularity.
RECOMMENDATION
Understanding the desire of the Park and Recreation Commission to once again test
the popularity of neighborhood ice rinks, staff will support the flooding of three
"test" rinks this coming season. Based upon neighborhood requests and testimony at
your last meeting, it is recommended that a family rink be flooded at Chanhassen
Hills Park, Rice Marsh Lake Park, and Pheasant Hills Park. Prior to the start of the
skating season staff will develop a usage analysis model for implementation over the
2005/06 season. This model will include reports from our maintenance department
and eyewitness counts of users tabulated by staff and the commission.
The City of Chanhassen · A growing community with clean lakes, quality schools, a charming downtown, thriving businesses, winding trails, and beautiful parks. A great place to live, work, and play