http://www.twincities.com/washington/ci ... ck_check=1
They are also building a new high school just to the east of the Bielenberg complex. With a new sheet being built in Cottage Grove as well, this bodes well for an area starved for ice times.
Proposed Woodbury Ice Complex
Moderators: Mitch Hawker, east hockey, karl(east)
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SEC Scotty
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I agree, the problem isnt in the ice used, its in the area... They have great youth numbers but as soon as HS hits they lose them. Maybe the new complex is what keeps the kids in the system but if not then they are in trouble. I have not seen them keep numbers from youth in the system in the past but if they do, like in previous years, everyone in that section is in trouble. They have had ridiculous talent in the youth ranks in the past but getting the kids to stick it out has been the problem. I believe Woodbury has the talent but can they sustain the youth ranks to the high school has been the problem...
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SEC Scotty
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Plan would give Woodbury five new, private ice rinks
An equity firm is talking with the city about a sports complex that would open in 2009 next to the new East Ridge High School.
By Ben Goessling, Star Tribune
Plans to attach a new sports complex to Woodbury's Bielenberg Sports Center could bring the city as many as five new hockey rinks -- and put its two existing ice sheets under the management of a private equity firm.
Mesaba Capital Partners of Woodbury is in talks with the city about a $40 million complex that would bring three indoor rinks, two refrigerated outdoor sheets and a 100,000-square-foot field house to Bielenberg by 2009, when East Ridge High School opens next door.
Woodbury Mayor Bill Hargis said Tuesday it is only "a conceptual discussion and plan right now" and added that Mesaba has not presented its ideas to the city's planning commission.
"Because we do our work out in public, sometimes people think the deal's a done deal when it's not," he said. "The concept would be for the private group to manage the entire ice arena, but we're a long way from getting to that conclusion. We have not seen detailed pro formas or market studies."
But that hasn't done anything to quell excitement about an expansion that could give Bielenberg the kind of regional clout enjoyed by the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine.
Woodbury Area Hockey Club President Bill Mezzano said the Minnesota Wild has expressed interest in using the arena for its practices.
Doug Risebrough, Wild president and general manger, said Monday the team is talking with several communities about moving its practices out of the crowded Xcel Energy Center.
Even if the NHL team doesn't come, Mezzano said there are enough plans in place to generate the kind of profit private equity firms like to see -- and that hockey rinks usually fail to produce.
Because of hefty operational costs and limited year-round use, municipal hockey rinks in places such as Burnsville and Inver Grove Heights are frequently subsidized by taxpayers.
Lakeville contemplated anchoring a regional sports complex with four hockey rinks in 2004 but scrapped the idea and eventually built a one-sheet arena. And voters in Farmington turned down funding for a $24 million sports complex that included two ice sheets in May after district estimates showed it would lose $325,000 annually in its first years.
The Woodbury complex would not be taxpayer-financed; in fact, it could save the city some money if Mesaba takes over operations at Bielenberg.
Whoever foots the bill, Mezzano is confident they'll be running the complex in the black.
He pointed to the Super Rink as a feasible business model and added that plans call for the Woodbury facility to include a sports-themed restaurant and retail space.
"There are facilities around the U.S. that are benchmarked that way. A classic one is Lambeau Field," he said, referring to the Green Bay Packers' home stadium. "They can generate [revenue] during downtime when they don't play football. It's a portfolio, really."
Ben Goessling • 651-298-1546
Ben Goessling • bgoessling@startribune.com
An equity firm is talking with the city about a sports complex that would open in 2009 next to the new East Ridge High School.
By Ben Goessling, Star Tribune
Plans to attach a new sports complex to Woodbury's Bielenberg Sports Center could bring the city as many as five new hockey rinks -- and put its two existing ice sheets under the management of a private equity firm.
Mesaba Capital Partners of Woodbury is in talks with the city about a $40 million complex that would bring three indoor rinks, two refrigerated outdoor sheets and a 100,000-square-foot field house to Bielenberg by 2009, when East Ridge High School opens next door.
Woodbury Mayor Bill Hargis said Tuesday it is only "a conceptual discussion and plan right now" and added that Mesaba has not presented its ideas to the city's planning commission.
"Because we do our work out in public, sometimes people think the deal's a done deal when it's not," he said. "The concept would be for the private group to manage the entire ice arena, but we're a long way from getting to that conclusion. We have not seen detailed pro formas or market studies."
But that hasn't done anything to quell excitement about an expansion that could give Bielenberg the kind of regional clout enjoyed by the Schwan Super Rink in Blaine.
Woodbury Area Hockey Club President Bill Mezzano said the Minnesota Wild has expressed interest in using the arena for its practices.
Doug Risebrough, Wild president and general manger, said Monday the team is talking with several communities about moving its practices out of the crowded Xcel Energy Center.
Even if the NHL team doesn't come, Mezzano said there are enough plans in place to generate the kind of profit private equity firms like to see -- and that hockey rinks usually fail to produce.
Because of hefty operational costs and limited year-round use, municipal hockey rinks in places such as Burnsville and Inver Grove Heights are frequently subsidized by taxpayers.
Lakeville contemplated anchoring a regional sports complex with four hockey rinks in 2004 but scrapped the idea and eventually built a one-sheet arena. And voters in Farmington turned down funding for a $24 million sports complex that included two ice sheets in May after district estimates showed it would lose $325,000 annually in its first years.
The Woodbury complex would not be taxpayer-financed; in fact, it could save the city some money if Mesaba takes over operations at Bielenberg.
Whoever foots the bill, Mezzano is confident they'll be running the complex in the black.
He pointed to the Super Rink as a feasible business model and added that plans call for the Woodbury facility to include a sports-themed restaurant and retail space.
"There are facilities around the U.S. that are benchmarked that way. A classic one is Lambeau Field," he said, referring to the Green Bay Packers' home stadium. "They can generate [revenue] during downtime when they don't play football. It's a portfolio, really."
Ben Goessling • 651-298-1546
Ben Goessling • bgoessling@startribune.com
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Goldy Gopher
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newsguy35 wrote:I agree, the problem isnt in the ice used, its in the area... They have great youth numbers but as soon as HS hits they lose them. Maybe the new complex is what keeps the kids in the system but if not then they are in trouble. I have not seen them keep numbers from youth in the system in the past but if they do, like in previous years, everyone in that section is in trouble. They have had ridiculous talent in the youth ranks in the past but getting the kids to stick it out has been the problem. I believe Woodbury has the talent but can they sustain the youth ranks to the high school has been the problem...
How many times can you say that they have talent at the youth level but lose it in HS in one post?
The U invented swagger.
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Neutron 14
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SEC Scotty
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Yup, everybody in Woodbury is rich.
In fact, everybody who lives there was recruited. All the NHL players live there.
They have all the advantages which is why they got to the State Tournament last year. Yah, that explains it.
We need to need to kick them out of the MSHSL or at least pass some kind of rule to prevent more people from going ther to live.
In fact, everybody who lives there was recruited. All the NHL players live there.
They have all the advantages which is why they got to the State Tournament last year. Yah, that explains it.
We need to need to kick them out of the MSHSL or at least pass some kind of rule to prevent more people from going ther to live.
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TTpuckster
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Actually, Woodbury is RECRUITING rich people to live there so that they can have the best teams in every sport.packerboy wrote:Yup, everybody in Woodbury is rich.
In fact, everybody who lives there was recruited. All the NHL players live there.
They have all the advantages which is why they got to the State Tournament last year. Yah, that explains it.
We need to need to kick them out of the MSHSL or at least pass some kind of rule to prevent more people from going ther to live.
At least that is the rumor I heard.
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Can't Never Tried
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Looks like Govs93 is moving to WoodburyTTpuckster wrote:Actually, Woodbury is RECRUITING rich people to live there so that they can have the best teams in every sport.packerboy wrote:Yup, everybody in Woodbury is rich.
In fact, everybody who lives there was recruited. All the NHL players live there.
They have all the advantages which is why they got to the State Tournament last year. Yah, that explains it.
We need to need to kick them out of the MSHSL or at least pass some kind of rule to prevent more people from going ther to live.
At least that is the rumor I heard.
They made it to the Tournament because they were in 2AA.packerboy wrote:Yup, everybody in Woodbury is rich.
In fact, everybody who lives there was recruited. All the NHL players live there.
They have all the advantages which is why they got to the State Tournament last year. Yah, that explains it.
We need to need to kick them out of the MSHSL or at least pass some kind of rule to prevent more people from going ther to live.
Now that I think about it, what was that other team they knocked off in 2AA? They wore purple & gold or something? I think they were screaming the Lord's Prayer from the bench when it was tied late in the 3rd period? Who was that?!
packerboy wrote:An Ice Rink complex privately owned?
For profit? It would be a first as far as I know.
Id love to see Woodbury get this but I would be concerned about what an hour of ice will cost.
There are a few of privately owned rinks in this state. MN Made I think is on the high end on prices but Dakotah is on the Low end. But with a new sheet of ice coming next year at Dakotah it should come up a little.
I'm sure there are a few more but those come to mind. I think the Field House in Vic. is private too. How about Pagel. I know it was privately funded but does the school own it now?
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UnsungHero
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Olyguy, generally speaking, you cant make money selling ice time. MN Made has other sources of revenue than just selling ice. I doubt Dakotah cares if it is profitable.Olyguy wrote:packerboy wrote:An Ice Rink complex privately owned?
For profit? It would be a first as far as I know.
Id love to see Woodbury get this but I would be concerned about what an hour of ice will cost.
There are a few of privately owned rinks in this state. MN Made I think is on the high end on prices but Dakotah is on the Low end. But with a new sheet of ice coming next year at Dakotah it should come up a little.
I'm sure there are a few more but those come to mind. I think the Field House in Vic. is private too. How about Pagel. I know it was privately funded but does the school own it now?
.
Most city owned rinks break even or lose a little and they set the market for the cost of ice.
So, the guys who are doing the Woodnbury complex must have other sources of revenue in mind.
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Marty McSorely
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Privately Owned Rinks
MM and Heartland Hockey Camps are two, not sure on North Star ponds or not.
Heartland must be doing well he only has the complex open 10 weeks! Then leaves to Florida
Heartland must be doing well he only has the complex open 10 weeks! Then leaves to Florida
According to this, it looks like the big complex is a no-go.
I didn't know Woodbury said no to any development - ever. That's interesting. I wonder what kind of shennanigans the private company was up to that made them vote it down.
I'm sure it will get shopped around elsewhere.
I didn't know Woodbury said no to any development - ever. That's interesting. I wonder what kind of shennanigans the private company was up to that made them vote it down.
I'm sure it will get shopped around elsewhere.
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stickboy1956
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- Joined: Mon Jun 12, 2006 2:29 pm
Why do you assume the private company was involved with "shennanigans" that killed the project?Govs93 wrote:According to this, it looks like the big complex is a no-go.
I didn't know Woodbury said no to any development - ever. That's interesting. I wonder what kind of shennanigans the private company was up to that made them vote it down.
I'm sure it will get shopped around elsewhere.
There are never any "shennanigans" when dealing with local gov't, are there.
Been to Woodbury in the last 5 years? Them saying no to a development is like Holy Angels saying no to the best Bantam in New Prague because he lives too far away.stickboy1956 wrote:Why do you assume the private company was involved with "shennanigans" that killed the project?Govs93 wrote:According to this, it looks like the big complex is a no-go.
I didn't know Woodbury said no to any development - ever. That's interesting. I wonder what kind of shennanigans the private company was up to that made them vote it down.
I'm sure it will get shopped around elsewhere.
There are never any "shennanigans" when dealing with local gov't, are there.
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royals0951
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- Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 11:34 pm
i live in woodbury and go to school there ur all right every1 is pretty wealthy but lets not take it overboard. city turned down the "sportsplex" idea because they felt it was too risky. the project called for up to $10 million in taxpayer money. i personally felt it would have been worth it (5 new indoor rinks including the Wild practice facility as well as 3 more outdoor rinks throughotu the city) but the city council apparently did not. they do agree woodbury neeeds mroe ice though so they are considering the more "conservative" approach of just 3 new indoor rinks with the possibility of a wild facility later on down the road. just thought id clear it up
They don't even need that many - White Bear Lake does fine as one of the largest youth hockey programs in Minnesota with only two indoor ice rinks.royals0951 wrote:i live in woodbury and go to school there ur all right every1 is pretty wealthy but lets not take it overboard. city turned down the "sportsplex" idea because they felt it was too risky. the project called for up to $10 million in taxpayer money. i personally felt it would have been worth it (5 new indoor rinks including the Wild practice facility as well as 3 more outdoor rinks throughotu the city) but the city council apparently did not. they do agree woodbury neeeds mroe ice though so they are considering the more "conservative" approach of just 3 new indoor rinks with the possibility of a wild facility later on down the road. just thought id clear it up