BLOOMINGTON − Thirty years ago, city officials recommend closing Bloomington’s Frank Southern Ice Arena.
The rink, which opened in 1966, was losing about $50,000 a year. The south side structure needed $1.5 million in repairs. The mayor announced the best course of action might be shutting it down for good.
An upset ice community stepped up. A save-the-rink task force formed. They sent city officials free tickets to the holiday ice show. Supporters donated money.
The result? A 3-year reprieve. During that time, land was nearly purchased for a new rink but the plan was thwarted by high infrastructure costs. “We are going to get a new rink built,” then parks and recreation department director Mick Renneisen said in 2000.
The next year, with no new rink in sight, the city spent $600,000 for upgrades at Frank Southern center that replaced the rink’s cooling unit, repaired the roof, added a multipurpose room, upgraded electrical service and improved the lobby area. The plan was to extend the facility for another 10 years.
But 25 years have passed since that project’s completion. The rink is still losing money. Other than necessary upkeep and the addition of solar panels and new roof struts to support them in 2017, the ice arena hasn’t been updated in a quarter century.
The same issues, all over again
During a March 23 city parks board meeting, Frank Southern Ice Arena was again the main agenda topic. A recent ammonia coolant leak at the rink got officials thinking about the viability of the facility.
Should it be closed? Fixed for a few million dollars? Replaced for $12 million?
The same questions, a different era. And still, men, women and kids devoted to ice skating, figure skating and hockey who want Bloomington to keep its ice.
People told park board members how much they value the rink and what the city and ice enthusiasts would lose if it closed. “It’s really time to invest in this resource,” a mother of three said.
Wendy Westfall said one of her sons learned to skate at the rink when he was 3 and is still on the ice at 19. She asked that whatever happens, the rink not be shut down, even for a short time.
And she said having a rink that’s open year round, not just September through March, would keep families from long drives to the year-round Hamilton Center ice rink in Columbus to practice during the spring and summer.
The ice arena advocates said they are ready to rally, raise money and support in any way a new rink in Bloomington.
“What do we do from here? Right now,” asked Amy Mason, whose two sons skate on the Bloomington Blades youth hockey team.
Parks and recreation department director Tim Street said the city wants to keep an ice rink in Bloomington and is reviewing options.
He said getting public input and seeing how much support is out there was a good start.
“We can’t just continue to say we’ll do the bare minimum repairs and make sure it’s safe and then not make a decision for years and years and years,” Street said after listening to an hour of public comment at the meeting from citizens supporting the arena.
Parks board member Jim Whitlatch said it’s time for the city to build a new ice arena, calling the amenity a community asset. About 65,000 people visit the rink every year, according to a report presented at the meeting.
“I remember when it was going to be closed the first time,” Whitlatch said during the meeting. “I’m in favor of significant exploration of a new ice rink, partnering with somebody.” He suggested an alliance and financial support from Indiana University, grants, fundraising and bonds as options.
The ice arena offers skating lessons, open skate sessions, parties and special events such as Skate with Santa. It’s also home to several ice skating-based groups: Bloomington Blades youth hockey and high school team, three IU hockey teams, IU’s figure skating club, a local figure skating club, a college hockey recreation league and a local adult hockey league.
An icy path forward
The rink closed for the season in mid-March, a few days early because of the ammonia leak. Street told the people attending the meeting there are no concrete next steps.
“We wanted to get the information out there and look at our options,” he said.
The report presented at the parks board meeting offered three possibilities the city will consider.
Contact H-T reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com or 812-318-5967.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: On thin ice? City considers future of aging Bloomington skating rink
Reporting by Laura Lane, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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