City to give aid for hockey program

• Arena

Brian Korthals/Daily Globe A special meeting Tuesday morning called by the Worthington city council gave $135,000 to make necessary repairs at the Worthington Arena.

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WORTHINGTON — The Worthington City council approved a funding request made by Worthington Hockey Association (WHA) at a special meeting Tuesday morning.

A motion was made by Alderman Mike Kuhle to approve $135,024.29 for the association. The motion was subsequently carried by other council members, with the money to eventually come from the so-called “impact dollars” that originate from the proceeds of the Worthington Regional Hospital to Sanford Health.

As a non-profit organization, WHA relies on fundraising, financial assistance and income from the use of its arena, among other sources, to maintain its facility.

The current structure on the Nobles County Fairgrounds is approximately 20 years old. As the association plans to open its doors for the new year, there are several areas in need of immediate attention.

“The most significant concern we’ve got right now is the sprinkler system, which is in need of replacement,” said Gordon Moore, an active association member.

Other needs include replacement of fire doors, portions of the heaters, water heaters, condensers, shower heads and the electric motor.

“Ice cleaning equipment is not functioning as it should because of lack of sufficient hot water for regeneration,” Moore said. “This has created a problem where we’ve got ice that is less than ideal.”

Last year, WHA members saw an increase in maintenance cost. The $135,024.29 total represents the cost for areas in need of attention.

“Some of the items that we’re asking for are absolutely crucial to open the doors this year and some are crucial to the functionality of our arena,” said Jason Johnson, a WHA board member.

In response to a Kuhle question about endowed funds, Johnson said board members are planning to designate a specific amount of money from fundraisers for its capital reserve.

“We obviously need to be realistic and know there are going to be more needs like these,” Johnson said.

Besides serving the city, the association also provides a regional impact because Worthington High School’s hockey program has a cooperative agreement with the Round Lake-Brewster, Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Sibley, Iowa, school districts.

“If you have a place where teams want to come, you’re going to help motels or hotels during the time of the year when things can be kind of sparse,” Moore said.

“I think they’ve (WHA) done a good job in years, supporting this endeavor,” Kuhle said.

Alderman Ron Wood was in agreement but noted council needs to set up a system for allocating funds to organizations.

In the 1980s, the city’s cost to fund the outdoor ice rink at Millard Walker Park was $9,900 a year. Currently, WHA receives $7,500 a year.

“It seems to me that it’s backwards,” said Mayor Alan Oberloh. “The $9,900 that was there should have been a benchmark.”

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