Despite financial concerns, ice arena project gets underway

Fergus Falls, Minn. (WDAY TV) - Despite opposition to a proposed ice arena in Fergus Falls, the city council is going ahead with phase one of the project tonight. The city will now commit almost 100 thousand dollars, to draw up plans. City leaders are going into this without a guarantee that it'll move forward.

So, if fundraisers don't come up with 3-million dollar by February, the project could come to a halt, and the city would lose a big chunk of money.

“I think the assurance needs to be there to our constituents and taxpayers that we're not putting them another, what they would see as another 95 thousand dollars that they'll have to come up with, to pay for.”

Stumbo suggested that the council find a way to protect the city, making it financially whole again, if the fundraisers don't come up with their share of the project, but only one other councilman agreed with him.

“I think it's a little bit strange to think that the fund raisers aren't going to come and we aren't going to make it, and we're just going to keep plowing right ahead.”

But people in Fergus Falls do have money on their minds, and are concerned about what financial problems this arena could bring.

“With the economy the way it is, why are we doing this to people? You might be taking people out of their homes, have you ever thought about that? I mean, it's scary.”

They're worried it'll fall on their shoulders to pick up the slack, if not enough money can be raised by fundraising groups. They want to make sure that won't happen.

“In other words, the success of this project is wholly in the hands of the fund raisers, as it should be.”

Some people fear that instead of bringing people to town, it will actually drive families out.

“I hope I’m wrong, but like anything, I think it's going to move people out of the town, because they can't afford it.”

The council decided to get started with a work group, called Construction and Operations Committee. It's made up of representatives from the city, the school district, the Visitor’s Bureau, and the Hockey and Figure Skating Associations.

Tags: your city, christina vaughn, fergus falls, construction, news