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City council to mull BAHA's pitch to oversee ice arenas
Staff Writer The Brainerd City Council on Monday will discuss the Brainerd Amateur Hockey Association's proposal to manage, operate and maintain the Brainerd Civic Center's ice arenas.
The Personnel and Finance Committee met with BAHA representatives Wednesday to discuss the association's proposal. A draft agreement was presented to the Finance Committee, but the committee made no recommendations or decisions, City Administrator Dan Vogt said.
BAHA's proposal and the draft agreement will be considered by the Personnel and Finance Committee and the city council Monday. By state statute, the city has the ability to lease the facility to a nonprofit organization.
If the city approves the concept of the agreement, the city would proceed with discussion at future meetings and review by the city attorney. If it's not accepted, the city would need to begin future rate negotiations with BAHA.
The draft agreement would allow BAHA to lease the arena for five years. In return, the city would pay BAHA an annual compensation, pay for invoices for operation and maintenance of the arenas. No amount was set in the draft agreement. BAHA would need to hire its own employees to run the arenas.
BAHA's future projections show that the association expects, after adjustments to staffing and other expenses, a net income of $18,303. In 2005 the arena showed income loss of $55,000, in 2006 $54,000 and in 2007 $100,000.
Other stipulations in the draft agreement include:
- BAHA will make rental payments to the city equal to the annual principal and interest plus any other related fees due on all bonds sold by the city to finance the purchase of improvements on the leased premises.
- BAHA will be responsible for accounting all funds and the city shall have the right to audit BAHA's operations.
- BAHA will agree to use the premises for the purpose of operating ice arenas and dry floor events, and to provide the usual and ordinary services provided at ice arenas, including regular and group skating, hockey, food and beverage, concessions and, if applicable, the sale and rental of skating related equipment and apparel.
- BAHA will work with the Brainerd School District on boys' and girls' hockey, the dry floor users March through May, Minnesota Hockey Camps, and Vacationland Figure Skating Club.
- Booking and rental of the facility, ice or related public gathering spaces shall be controlled by BAHA. BAHA will have the right to adjust all fees and charges it sees fit during the term of the agreement.
- BAHA will be responsible for maintaining the arenas and the costs associated for all operations. The city will be responsible for the parking lots and any public improvement work needed. BAHA will not make major alterations, additions or major repairs without city approval.
- BAHA will be allowed to negotiate naming rights for the arenas provided the name includes the word "Brainerd."
MATT ERICKSON may be reached at matt.erickson@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5857.
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