Ice Arena looks at expansion options

The New Prague Ice Arena Association Board of Directors recently received a completed feasibility study regarding adding a second sheet of ice to the 23-year-old facility located on 12th Street NE.

The study, according to Kevin Cassidy, manager of the Ice Arena, was done to determine where the association stands, how much revenue could be produced and how much revenue is leaving the community to purchase ice outside the community.

“The study also looked at what an expansion would look like, what we would need to do and how to do it,” Cassidy explained. “We wanted to gauge the public’s interest, not just the hockey community, but the city and the school district as well.”

Cassidy said another factor that was looked at was the refrigeration system in the facility. “The current system we have is the most primitive form of ice making on the market. It works, it’s served the community well, but it is limited, especially in highheat periods,” he explained. “We want to look at what it would take to upgrade our existing plant.

“The current facility is 23 years old, and typical life for a floor is 20 to 25 years. We are nearing the end of its lifespan. Our floor has held up well, but we did address some problems five years ago to fix leaks.”

He said one advantage of having a second sheet of ice would be to....

To see more on this story pick up the September 12, 2019 print edition of The New Prague Times.