by Matt Marquardt –
City Administrator Brent Trout unveiled his recommendations for a multi-purpose arena in Mason City on Tuesday night. You can watch the entire presentation and the council’s discussion of the plan below.
(PHOTO: Bret Trout, Mayor Eric Bookmeyer, and Councilman Alex Kuhn ponder a possible multi-purpose arena for Mason City.)
The project could include 3 phases and cost nearly $30 million. Trout recommended only phase A and B at a cost of $21 million. The project would be financed by “a large chunk of TIF” (tax increment financing.) TIF would be the primary, “less painful” source, Trout explained. He also suggested fundraising, selling naming rights, various taxes, general obligation bonds, and a lease purchase plan as ways to get the project paid for the most easily.
Trout showed examples of other arenas done in other, mostly larger cities, many of them in the twin cities area, and talked about how they operated. He also mentioned Waterloo’s Young Arena and an arena in Ottumwa, which has run into serious difficulties according to news reports. Trout said some of the arenas had people using the ice “from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.” He also verified that Waldorf College would bring their hockey team to play in Mason City if it had an arena. “They are an Iowa school, they want to play in Iowa.” Waldorf currently plays their games in Albert Lea.
The cost to operate the arena would be roughly $691,935 per year according to Trout. He estimated, conservatively, that revenue would be $692,000. Most of the revenue would come from ice time rental and concessions and beer sales.
The council was impressed with Trout’s presentation and thanked staff for their work. Councilman John Lee right away said that he could not support the project without taking it to a vote from the citizens. “It’s absolutely positively a necessity that the public gets a vote on this one,” Lee said. Councilwoman Jean Marinos said she would want a feasibility study done. The cost of that was $75,000 several years ago, and the cost today could reach $125,000 and take months to complete.
It was also said that if the state rolls back commercial property tax rates aggressively, as Governor Terry Branstad has supported, the project would not happen. “It’s ballgame,” Mayor Eric Bookmeyer said.
Watch entire presentation and discussion from council:
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Even the globe had a story about how these multi-purpose centers are money losers. Now our city leaders want to bring this to town. What a stupid joke. Bring jobs here then we can discuss paying for something we know going in will be a money pit.Trout should be fired for bringing this forward.
Nyet comrade! No one here reads your Bulgarian.
What Lee means is that he doesn’t want to be held accountable if it flops. Don’t waste our time and money if you are too scared to voice an actual opinion on the topic at hand.
Glad to see this being a public discussion. I don’t know the numbers and probably no one commenting here really does either.
The one area that troubles me is the 4.8 million for the gym. That is a lot of money just so parks and rec and others don’t have to rent space from the schools. If they pay 5 schools each a thousand bucks a year you could lease space forever and never come close to the 4.8 million dollars.
Funny people are all surprised that an arena won’t make money. Most arenas don’t make money! The public supports them because of the money the arenas bring into the community and because people want to live in a town where there is something to do other than meth. Look at Waterloo: they developed their downtown by building an arena and a convention center and IT WORKED! That won’t happen here when they put it to a public vote because grey hairs here only want lower taxes. That’s also why nobody wants to live here other than people in retirement homes on fixed incomes and the town resembles Somalia more than Cedar Falls.
Totally agree!
I have to wonder why they never kept the ice rink at the fairgrounds up instead of letting it deteriorate? Wouldn’t it still be cheaper to fix it up? Also, NIACC has a beautiful auditorioum for entertainment and have trouble filling it. Why would a multi purpose center do any better? Where are they going to get the money for any better entertainment than NIACC or the Surf gets? These people are dillusional. Once again, address the important issues here. Bring in some decent jobs that don’t compromise the enviornment and clean up the town. They also keep wanting everything down town. Why do you think Marinos got on council? The down town is dead and they need to quit beating that dead horse. The people that have the money want all this crap and they could care less about the people on social security and fixed incomes.
Hockey,hmmmm is that where a bunch of people get together on a sheet of ice and and begin to hit each other with clubs while chashing a little round thing from one end to the other?
I agree, the public needs to vote. Yes, the Fairgrounds would be a much better choice for Hockey. I think it has more of a chance than some of the other things the city has spent money on. Which brings to mind the Historical Park Inn. There was lots of hoopla and boasting about how well they were doing the first few months. Now nothing. I truey hope it will be self supporting and can move ahead with establishing a resturant in the near future. Any news on this would be welcome.
Once you stumble out of the frat’s beer keg party, marry and have kids, life takes on a different perspective. Instead of complaining, throwing out taxpayer’s money; trying to build something new, we need to embrace what we have.
#1 mistake was declining the casino.
Mason City IS an event center. There’s “big city” things to do, but there’s not a wide variety. You get what you get. The best idea would be to create an events blog, similar to NIT, and list everything that’s going on. Wait, that’s what Facebook does.
If the citizens dont get to vote on this, than we shouldnt be required to pay hire taxes because of it. If that happens im subtracting that from my tax payment. Let them try and take it from me. This is getting absolutely stupid how this administration is spending money. Time to go on diet!!!!!!
Wow. So the total profit would be $65 a year. That is if everything goes ok. Seriously? Yeah lets spend 21 to 30 MILLION to make $65 a year. People start thinking with your head instead of your ass. How is that helping anything?
agreed!!! can our gov’t get any more stupid?
Why not get with the County and if you do build build it at the Fair Grounds. If you are going to have horse shows there as you talk about you will not lots more room for parking and stalls plus outdoor arena areas. Without these features no horse shows.
Okay, as a resident of Mason City, we’re bankers on this whole deal. WE are the ones paying the taxes that will pay for this project. WE are entitled to some answers:
1) Where is a letter or commitment from Waldorf backing up the claims they will come to MC to play hockey? When making public claims, something in writing confirming and enforceable is needed.
2) Naming rights? How much is going to be raised by naming rights? Anyone can SAY there’s money behind the naming rights… but not one shovel of dirt should be turned over until at least HALF the naming rights and advertising commitments are SIGNED and enforceable!
3) Why downtown? Who owns the property where it might be built? Who owns property NEAR it that can possibly benefit the most through increased sales? Former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-ILL, was shamed out of office for such actions regarding a major highway he got funded through pork-barrel legislation near property he just so happened to own.
IF such a project is built, there’s a potential boon of sales and profits… but it also takes off the tax rolls property that is currently helping make sure the mayor’s paycheck doesn’t bounce.
I agree that the fairgrounds is the most ideal spot.
I heard that Latham owns quite a lot of the property where this arena is going, and he is one of the hardest pushers for this project.
Scott, WOW 200+ kids for Hockey, lets see 200+ divided by 31 million dollars. Makes sense to me build that thing for them kids. ARE YOU JERKING ME???? I think night. Go eat some ice on someone elses money!!!!!!
Hey yo! Looks like the Major is looking up at those pencils stuck on the ceiling – now who do you suppose threw those up there? Was that you Kevin?
LOL!
Well if they do build it I hope the big foot conventions come to Mason.
I’ve always been opposed to this. If you think this project will break even, you are sadly deluded. Property owners be prepared to cough up even more in taxes. I’ve made a decision: the day my taxes go up one cent to fund this thing, the For Sale sign goes up and we are gone from this town. I’ve checked the tax rates in nearby communities (Austin, Albert Lea, Rochester). All have property taxes about the same as or lower than Mason City currently. How many others will be driven away by the rising tide of taxes and silly spending to fund someone else’s favorite sport.
Stop the Madness! Also, don’t waste the $100,000 on a feasibility study.
Mr. Lee is quickly proving to be a shining star for all classes of our citizens. Thank you Mr. LEE>
I was at the budget meeting last night and saw first hand Mr. Lee be a stand up guy. He was the first to bring up the citizens need to have a vote. I went up to him after the meeting and thank him for letting the citizens of Mason City have a voice on this issue. Rather for it or against it with something as costly is this I am glad the citizens have the choice to go out and vote on it.
It’s the citizens decison NO ONE elses period. PUT IT TO VOTE!
Why not build it at the fairgrounds? Get the county on board. I feel with the right promoter running it we could boost our local economy. People who go to events eat and need rooms to stay in. Downtown is the wrong place. I’m totally against getting it rammed down our throat! There are other options. I for one would love to see big name bands come to Mason City. Concerts sell out quick, look at some of the shows at the Surf (ZZ Topp comes to mind.) And lets not forget people who drive to events need fuel. I know that our elected officials don’t give a s**t about the little guy, however most of us care about our beloved city.
Could you please give us the definition of a little guy?
Anyone who is not in the economic sector of Mason that has the cash flow to throw at stupid expenditures. Most people know what I was talking about. I am sorry your ignorance did not allow you to understand my point.
Anyone who is not in the economic sector of Mason that has the cash flow to throw at stupid expenditures.
I am trying to understand, but after reading this statement, I don’t think I would be calling someone else ignorant.
The fair grounds would be a better place to but it then where they want to now. Get the fair board on board also sounds great. Use the arena out there and add another. That might save expenses. Include the horse people also. We could really build something to be proud of and could increase traffic to the area.
I live 50 miles south and I am wondering why only 1 person made the most obvious statement. I agree with Jamey in building something at the fairgrounds. makes the most common sense to me. Mason city already has an ice arena. is it too small??? What?? To me,someone not aware of the goings on in the area, this looks more like someone has other motives on building it in the first place, or building it where proposed. sounds fishy to me
Anonymous, since you don’t have the balls to use your real name, I understand that you wouldn’t understand anything. So take your head out of the mayor’s ass and clean his s**t out of your ears so you can understand what I am saying. Or you could be the dumb ass and the alcohol has rotted all of your brain cells.
Do some research. The concert business is in the tank nationwide. Big names in music will never come here. Why would anyone from this area advocate competing with the Surf Ballroom, a national treasure? A very good argument against this project is the potential harm it could do to the Surf’s business. Let’s be real, this thing would be for hockey. Now I’m all for kids playing hockey, but should our taxes go up in this economy and the whole town be forced to support a money losing enterprise for that?
Agreed Johnny B. about competing with the Surf. There should be bands lined up to play that place; and NIACC. What about having smaller concerts at Music Man square, they serve alcohol. I’m sure that Lorados has live music scheduled every weekend. Osage has an event center called the Cedar River Complex. I have never been there. A good friend of mine lives across the street. Look up the website. They have a gym, pool, and activity center for gatherings.
Build it! If the voters were crazy enough to vote in the library renovation, why not go ahead with this white elephant?
I’m all for the mutli-center. The location down town is a bad spot. The area that they are looking to build is in a flood plain. It has flood there before and will again. Lets move it somewhere else.
The cost to operate the arena would be roughly $691,935 per year according to Trout. He estimated, conservatively, that revenue would be $692,000. Most of the revenue would come from ice time rental and concessions and beer sales.
Barely breaking even year to year – and this is probably an optimistic view.
In all fairness to Mr. Trout’s figures, he used very low revenue estimates to show how easy it will be for the facility to break even. That’s how I took it, anyway. It is anyone’s guess how the facility would do once it is built.
Most people in Mason City want nothing but the best for the downtown as well as the rest of the city. Looks as if the citizens will decide if this project is a good idea or not.
When is this town going to wake up. The downtown is dead and nobody wants to go there. Putting this arena there is completely stupid. Let alone the thought of building it. Let’s waste more of the tax payers money. Just when the fairgrounds starts to gain a heartbeat. Mason city has to shoot another bullet into it. But if this town is set on building this thing build where people go not where people use to go. Look at the mall for example.
Here’s an idea, replace the mall with the arena. No one really goes to the mall either except the kids running around town that have nothing else to do.
Hockey, Come on, is this sport even worth it? I can see having some type of arena for events/concerts but for Hockey I say its a waste of money . No one cares about hockey .
No one cares about hockey?? I don’t know what crowd you run with but there are a whole lot of people that watch and play hockey.
No one cares for hockey? Maybe you haven’t seen that there are kids at the arena every evening and night playing in the youth hockey program? There are 200-240 children enrolled in that. There is also a large figure skating club in town and open hockey twice a week, and not to mention adult hockey league. On the weekends, there are teams from out of town here that also bring families that stay, shop and dine while they are here. That’s money coming into town THANKS to hockey. Did you not see the thousand and some odd people that were at the cops/firefighters charity game a couple weeks ago? If you wre just trying to stir some conversation up; well sir, you did.
At least we’ve got one guy on the council looking out for the public’s best interest. Thanks Mr. Lee!
What do you think drunkmeyer is thinking about? Visions of a coldone floating by is my best guess or when is this crap going to end “I need a drink”
I was wondering the same exact thing. He seems to be pondering, hmmm, is it an Eleven night???