East Grand Forks City Council to seek more consultants for arena, sales tax push
Administrators at East Grand Forks City Hall plan to look for consultants to help the city with pre-referendum work as the city continues to look for ways – financial and logistical – to fix up its aging ice arenas and some baseball diamonds. 7:04 pm, Jan. 26, 2021 × Base Priority work at The East Grand Forks Civic Center would cost $5.7 million, according to an estimate presented by city staff to City Council members on Tuesday, Aug. 12. That work includes replacing the arena s aging ice plant, upgrading its electrical and mechanical systems, making the building compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and reconstructing the parking lot. East Grand Forks Leaders could opt for millions more in less-pressing improvements, such as a locker room addition or renovation. Eric Hylden / Grand Forks Herald
By Doug Barrett
Jan 27, 2021 2:52 PM
East Grand Forks officials may enlist the services of a pair of consultants to help plan for future improvements to the city’s aging ice arenas.
Council members last night approved the drafting of an R-F-P for a construction managing firm and a fundraising specialist to help identify dollars for the pending project.
The city has floated the idea of a sales tax to help finance the bulk of the work. Parks Director Reid Huttunen says fundraising will also be a critical part of the plan.
The price of the ice arena projects along could top eleven-million dollars. Although the city was planning to lobby the legislature for taxing approval this year – Mayor Steve Gander says that conversation will likely be pushed into 2022. “It feels like a courtesy to let everyone get back on solid ground before we have that next conversation.”