Downtown ice rink to return

The Arlington Square Ice Rink will be funded through the Redevelop-ment Authority - just like last year - and not the general fund for the 2010-11 winter season, officials decided Thursday.

Although the ice rink could move under the auspices of the Parks and Recreation Department next year, and thus be funded through the general fund, this could have delayed the opening by as much as a month.

"I can't support taking this out of the general fund. It gives me heartburn," said Supervisor Shelly Aldean. "The economic benefit is to the downtown, so it should come out of the incremental funding."

Supervisor Robin Williamson wanted to be sure the scheduled opening would remain Thanksgiving day.

"Setting back the opening date would not be good," she said, adding that from the opening last year on Thanksgiving until the rink closed Feb. 1, the rink was packed.

"There were a lot of happy families and middle school kids doing positive things," she said.

Williamson, chairwoman of the redevelopment authority, said a transition to the general fund could stir up trouble right now.

"There was so much contention over this," she said. "I don't know why people get so white hot over families having fun together."

Supervisor Molly Walt said that when and if the ice rink comes out of the parks and recreation budget, people need to remember that recreation is to enhance quality of life, not to raise revenue.

"I saw children, parents and grandparents out there last year. There were people from Douglas and Reno and (there were) birthday parties," she said. "We do not have much for families from recreation and we do not have much in winter."

Many have argued that more attention should be paid to the north end of town, rather than just the center of town, but Mayor Bob Crowell explained that there are only two redevelopment areas, downtown and the south corridor of Carson Street.

The parks and recreation department, which will operate the rink again this year, expects to bring in $86,475 in revenue, so the subsidy would be $106,255. The subsidy for the 2009-10 winter season was $127,000.

Recreation Manager Joel Dunn said he was able to reduce the operating budget by $30,000 last year and made some capital purchases such a tents, lights and sound equipment.

Aldean notified the board that Reno would not be operating its ice rink this year, and she would like the recreation department to check with Reno to see if, by renting their equipment, the city might save some money while helping their neighbors to the north.

Also discussed Thursday were whether it would be more prudent for Carson City to purchase its own equipment and whether the rink should stay where it is or be moved to another area of town such as the Pony Express Pavilion or the Fuji Park Fairgrounds facility.

Supervisor Pete Livermore said that if the ice rink eventually is folded into the parks and recreation department, the Parks and Recreation Commission ought to be given an opportunity to weigh in.

Resident John Wagner said he'd prefer to see something more permanent for Carson City, than making the ice rink portable.

Lenny Chappel, president of the 67-member Downtown Business Association, said the group has no data to support increased sales as a result of the ice rink operation, but he has had customers who said they came down for the rink and then decided to come to his salon.

Stan Jones, a member of the Carson City Chamber of Commerce executive board and the DBA, said the DBA sponsored two successful events in conjunction with the rink last year - opening night and New Year's Eve.

Doreen Mack, owner of Lofty Expressions, said the downtown events are "huge" for the community.

"The location (of the rink) is perfect. It can't be moved from location to location," she said, adding that success begins at the core and radiates out.

Star Anderson, general manager of the Carson Nugget, said their property has not seen a measurable increase in restaurant business nor any gaming increase as a result of the rink, but that the Nugget's mantra, "Community First," is in its commitment to the belief that any success in town will lead to a greater chance of success for everyone.

She again offered the city free use of Arlington Square for the ice rink.

Since the supervisors' agenda action request was to approve $192,730 from the general fund for the ice rink, the measure will be brought back in two weeks as an action item to fund the rink from the redevelopment authority.