HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-02-11 PACKET 07.B.(Mm Cottage
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h ere Pride and VrOs perity Meet
To: Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Commission
From: Zac Dockter, Parks and Recreation Director
Date: January 28, 2013
Subject: Highlands Park Hockey Rink Reconstruction
Background
The 2013 budget allows for the replacement of the Highlands Park hockey rink boards. As with all
construction projects, this gives staff the opportunity to analyze current service levels and consider
modifications for improvement.
The parks system has seven outdoor hockey rinks at various parks throughout the community. Each
hockey rink includes wooden boards, lights and a variety of surfaces. Currently, all rinks are NHL
standard size of 200'x 85' with the exception of Old Cottage Grove Park (150'x 75'). Of these seven
rinks, four include an adjacent free rink that is typically used by skaters who may not engage in hockey
activities. Although it is not plausible in all locations, providing the free rink definitely serves a different
set of ice skaters and should be provided where possible.
Highlands Park provided a free rink near the warming house through 2011. With the construction of the
splash pad in 2012, there is no longer a suitable area available for the free rink. The characteristics of
a "suitable" area would include flat land that is close in proximity to a water source and an existing ice
sheet to streamline maintenance operations.
Staff is suggesting that modification to the existing hockey rink at Highlands Park could provide an
improved level of service to ice skaters in the community. By reducing the size of the hockey rink to 75'
x 150', a free rink would be incorporated onto the site. Staff believes this transition provides benefit to
both recreational ice skaters and hockey enthusiasts. The hockey rink is rarely, if ever, used to its
capacity or in an official /certified "hockey game" where an NHL -sized ice sheet is required. The
majority of times you'll find small groups playing half -ice games. Nets are frequently moved inward to
improve the playing experience and speed of the game in a way that the larger rink cannot offer to a
small group. Further, USA Hockey and MN Hockey have been preaching the developmental benefits of
small ice games to the hockey world and rarely recommend full ice activities for practices and /or skill
development. It's quite possible this hockey rink may actually be a draw to hockey players because of
its smaller and unique size thus creating a faster and more enjoyable playing experience. In addition to
a desire for increasing free hockey use, there may also be an increase in youth hockey team rentals so
they can work on their small ice drills and activities as recommended by USA /MN Hockey.
With the loss of the free rink at Highlands Park in 2012, it certainly has had a negative impact on the
recreational and figure skaters. Over the past ten years, the City has closed six free rinks in the
community because of their poor location and /or lack of use. However, in this particular scenario it
seems the free rink would receive good use considering its location within a community park that has a
warming house. Further, there would be no additional maintenance needs being the ice sheet will
simply be an extension of the existing hockey rink.
Staff believes that reconstructing the hockey rink in a manner that provides multiple activity
opportunities is the best option for the community. Although there will be some savings in construction
costs, the more important goal is to serve the community's recreational needs in the most effective and
efficient manner.
Staff Recommendation
Reduce hockey rink size to 75'x150' and grade for the addition of a free rink at Highlands Park.
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