Ice rink subsidy less than expected

Although revenues from the Arlington Square Ice Skating Rink fell short of what was expected this winter, so did the amount the city had to pay to keep it going.

Carson City paid $127,000 to subsidize the Arlington Square Ice Skating Rink, $8,000 less than the anticipated $135,000.

Any decision on whether the city will continue to provide the activity in the future will be up to the board of supervisors, said Carson City Parks and Recreation Director Roger Moellendorf.

"Outside of the ice rink and chiller rental, the program came close to covering its costs," he said.

Rental for the rink and chiller cost $119,000.

"As long as you have to pay that rent, you're probably never going to break even. If they want to continue with this, it might be worthwhile to investigate finding a permanent location and buying our own rink and chiller," he said.

Members of the board of supervisors have discussed the possibility of purchasing a rink and chiller, but no action has been taken.

In September, officials learned that the ice rink was expected to cost about $262,000 to operate, with anticipated revenues of $127,000. The shortfall was to be made up by funds from the Carson City Redevelopment Authority.

But when the report came out April 5, total expenses amounted to $196,000.

Revenues for the second season of operation, however, came in at just over $69,000, instead of the expected $127,000.

"This revenue was realized over an eight-week season compared to a 10-week season in 2008-09," Moellendorf said.

Attendance overall was up this year, however. The rink averaged 157 skaters a day, up from 130 in 2008-09.

"Average skater attendance was significantly higher than last year," Moellendorf said, "and comments received were almost unanimously positive from the participants."

Financial impacts to businesses downtown are unknown, Moellendorf said, but his department received support and positive comments from the 64-member Downtown Business Association.

Lenny Chappell, chairman of the association, said the downtown activity contributed to visibility for businesses.

"I don't think there's a way to really track the impacts, but the overflow that comes from the rink allows traffic to visualize what's downtown and gives us that visibility we're after," Chappell said.

"I think it generates as much traffic as the downtown wine walk, and hopefully, with these kinds of events, we can interest people in opening more businesses. We have a lot of vacant buildings right now," he said.

The city's Office of Business Development created and operated the ice rink program during the 2008-09 season to help bring winter vitality to the downtown. The recreation department took over operation this past season, with the business development office providing marketing support.

"The ice rink was heavily used and was popular as an inexpensive downtown event activity for families and teenagers, and it created an attractive, festive atmosphere during the holiday season," Moellendorf said.