Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By TOM LAVENTURE
Ironwood — The work to open the Pat O’Donnell Civic Center for the winter season is nearly complete and the temporarily domed facility could be open to skaters within two weeks, according to reports at the board meeting Monday.
“It’s up,” said board chair Jim Collins in his report. “The glass is up, the netting is up, the bleachers are up and the changing rooms are done.”
The floor is re-installed and cleaned, the main hallway has lighting and ceiling tiles and the concession stands are ready, he said. Rink technicians have done a lot of work but there are details to complete before the rink can function, including more lighting, heating, snow removal, walkways, Zamboni storage and ice shaving removal.
There are currently portable radiant heaters in use until the utilities company installs the gas on Nov. 7, he said. The restrooms still have some work to be done and a wall is being constructed for the skate sharpening room, he said.
Brian Roehm, the current civic center manager who resigned but is staying on until a new manager is hired and trained, said there needs to be a garage airlock with a lockdown area to allow the Zamboni to exit and enter. He said a compressor and condenser are being replaced and that cooling for ice should start within days.
There are softness issues with the recycled blacktop used around the building, and the walls around the visiting players benches need to be sturdier, Collins said. Executives from the contractor and insurance company are expected to visit the facility this week, he said.
Before the project can be considered completed, Ironwood Township must issue a certificate of occupancy, said Scott Erickson, Ironwood city manager. Before that can happen there will be a walk-through that involves everyone involved with the project, including the city of Ironwood as the owner.
Erickson asked the board and management to list their concerns so they can be discussed prior to and during the walk-through to be sure the items are completed.
He said the same should be done with any additional insurance claims related to construction, he said. Any items that could be considered refundable or reimbursable need to be reviewed and require documentation, receipts, billing hours or anything else to support a claim, he said.
The board 6-0 approved the Polar Bear Hockey contract for youth hockey for the season. The $35,000 contract for 300 hours of ice time includes a reimbursement for player practice hours that are purchased at other rinks prior to the civic center’s availability.
The board welcomed James Panosso, the new board member who was appointed Oct. 28 by Mayor Annette Burchell to replace David Sim, who resigned in September, Panosso will complete the term expiring on Aug. 31, 2022.
“We’re very happy to have James on the board,” Collins said. “He and his family have been involved with hockey for many years and it’s really been nice working with him and to have him involved planning the future of the civic center.”
Panosso said he has been involved with Ironwood hockey since he was a youth player himself. He currently coaches bantam level hockey in the Polar Bear Hockey organization.
“I just really appreciate the opportunity,” Panosso said. “I just want to give back to hockey and hopefully we can find a good purpose for this facility and do whatever it takes to get to that point.”
With Panosso’s appointment there remains one vacant seat remaining on the board. The other five members include Collins, Mae Moderson, Marcus Re, Matthew Sommer and Jim Mildren.
The board reviewed six applications for the civic center manager position. A seventh applicant withdrew an application prior to the meeting, Erickson said.
The finalists will be presented to the city manager to arrange for review and interviews by the city of Ironwood.
The board also approved directing the city to advertise for part-time civic center rink attendants and concession stand workers for the winter season. The number of workers needed will depend on how many returning workers there are from last year.
Erickson said that any potential employee would need to complete the city job application that is available online.
The board approved the civic center manager scheduling a high school hockey game between Ashland and Hurley to be held at the civic center on Jan. 25. The game is currently scheduled to be held at Ashland and the move will allow it to be considered a Hurley home game.
