Chelan Council weighs potential ice rink

CHELAN - Winter is coming for Chelan.

Instead of the non-fictitious white-walkers, giants and dragons in the Westeros kingdom (Game of Thrones) however, winter is coming to Chelan in the form of an ice skating rink.

At least that’s what Chelan councilwoman Erin McCardle is hoping for within the next couple of years.

“Let’s say two to three years,” McCardle suggested at the Chelan City Council meeting on Tuesday, July 25, “in terms of coming back with set funding, a business plan, an idea of management and structure and the ability to move forward.”

“You know, set expectations low and deliver high,” McCardle articulated after council was given a presentation from Hunden Strategic Partners; a consultant group from Chicago brought on to analyze the potential of constructing an ice rink in Chelan.  

For the past four months Owner/ CEO Rob Hunden and Project Manager Michael Montgomery have interviewed various residents and hockey groups in the area to gauge their overall interest. They also reached out to several ice complexes including both the Winthrop Ice Rink and Town Toyota Center.

Their report concluded that not only would a rink be viable, but also serve as an asset to Lake Chelan that can attract people during the lull winter months.

“As you know, you are a unique community that has a population that expands quite a bit in the summer but is relatively small in the winter,” Hunden began in his opening comment. “This is an opportunity to have an asset that enhances your year round livability, tourism, and is a facility that can be multi-purposed.”

In Hunden’s vision, the domed ice rink would be used while in the cold winter months. During May through October, the multi-purpose flooring could be utilized to host any number of events from concerts, farmer’s markets, dances and other social events to basketball, volleyball and pickle-ball games. Hunden also mentioned the possibility of baseball teams using the area during wet or snowy days in the spring.

In terms of cost, “it is a relatively inexpensive facility at just under $3 million,” Hunden casually insisted, “but it has to have absolute quality ice sheets and has to be well taken care of and groomed.”

The reason for this is because hockey teams, the main bread and butter of any ice complex, will only play on a rink that is maintained, NHL regulation size and of top quality.”

Luckily for Chelan, being located in the middle of the state carries a beneficial factor as well.

“There was a great desire because of the central location,” Hunden said. “People like Chelan, and it is east to get to. Wenatchee also said they were interested in events up here and the central location was key. Because you are a destination market, people don’t need an excuse to come here.”

“As Rob mentioned, we tried to get feedback from complexes, local sports, and regional hockey groups to get their thoughts and they were very consistent (in saying) Chelan is a destination for a future tournament,” Montgomery interjected. “You can have teams meet from the east and west side of the state and have a unique covered complex that is on the water. Outdoor hockey is still unique to these teams, and having eight to twelve team tournaments with youth, adult or club hockey are real possibilities.”

Out of potential sites, Don Morse Park was recommended because of its close proximity to other commerce and tourism spots in downtown. According to Hunden, the building would also be see through, to preserve views because “the lake is for the people.”

Although there is a lack of ice in the area, Hunden and Montgomery believe that a new facility will generate interest among local residents and draw people from around the area. However, fostering that hockey interest could take awhile with kids already dedicating their time to other sports.

“You have to start young with leagues and develop the kids at the mite level,” Montgomery said, “It builds upon it self because if you start young, you’ll develop more of a community. Plus, the Wenatchee Wild mentioned that they want to come here and have training’s and clinics to make sure there is an excitement about the sport.”

Conservative estimates from Hunden show the complex could host 310 hours of rentals and 81 events a year, generating an estimated 4,673 additional room nights per year and $24,000 in fiscal impact solely through the lodging tax.

“There are facilities that lose money and ones that make money, we show this as a bit of a loss, but it is minima,“ Hunden said, pointing at a projected $135 net operating loss in year one. “But that could be plus or minus $50,000. The key is not to overstaff it and put people in charge that are committed to maximizing potential and minimizing expense.”

Another foreseeable problem is what to do with the current vendors (go-carts, bumper boats and paddle boards) that already occupy the space where a new rink would go.

Council woman McCardle suggested those decisions would come farther down the line. The next step is “building a business plan for the facility and getting local folks involved in the project,” McCardle concluded. “I am a realist, we’re not saying that we are moving ahead right now, but I would say two to three years.”

Zach Johnson can be reached at lcmeditor@gmail.com or (509) 682-2213