Civic center add-ons approved

IRONWOOD - The Ironwood City Commission approved expenditures for enhancements to the Pat O'Donnell Civic Center replacement building during a special meeting on Monday.

The commission 5-0 approved $123,303 of civic center funds to be invested that are not included with the insurance company's funds to replace the structure. There are also $50,000 in individual donations for the enhancements.

"The city's insurance company only pays for what was there before," said Scott Erickson, city manager. "Any additional items or enhancements to the building have to be funded by the civic center itself."

The insurance company paid for removal of the original civic center after structural damage was discovered following heavy snows in the winter of 2018-2019. The insurer installed a temporary dome for the 2019-2020 winter sports season and until engineers determined that a new structure could be built on the original site.

The insurer is now paying for replacement costs of the civic center building. This includes a project management company and contractor services and any additional expenses for modifications or improvements are left to the civic center.

The civic center board worked with consultants, the insurance company and city staff to determine what was possible, Erickson said. The project is moving along well with a goal to be ready in time for use this winter.

The $123,000 total includes $97,000 to upgrade the civic center with refurbished dasher boards that was approved by the city commission at a previous meeting.

Other enhancements include windows on the north and west corners of the building to bring natural light into the new commons area, Erickson said. The $7,743 cost is all paid for from donated funds.

An improved front entrance with metal pillars and canopy on a burnished block foundation will cost $26,282. Donations provide $19,177 for the improvement with the remaining $7,105 coming from civic center funds.

The $9,260 cost for a widened sidewalk approach to the front door with stamped and colored concrete and a flag pole area will come from civic center funds. The $4,000 flagpole was not there before, Erickson said.

Another $5,938 to upgrade facility faucets and toilet fixtures with touchless technology will come from civic center funds.

"All city facilities have had touchless faucets installed for sanitary and safety reasons," Erickson said.

The civic center board sent its recommendation for the items to the city commission ahead of the meeting. With the city commission's approval the contracting for the improvements will go to Signal Restoration Services. 

Commissioner Jim Mildren said that after many meetings and considering various options the civic center board came up with a plan that is fiscally responsible and pleasing to the eye. As a member of the civic center board, Mildren added his recommendation for "the structurally and fiscally" sound building that will be in use for many years.

"Every aspect of this has been discussed and it's a good plan," Mildren said.

Mayor Annette Burchell, speaking to Jim Collins, chair of the civic center board, and Michelle Rigoni-Sivula, civic center manager, who both attended the virtual meeting, said it has been a trying couple of years for the civic center board and they deserve credit for a collective effort.

"Thank you so much for your hard work and your energies and sharing your talents with our community, and especially for supporting our youth," she said.

Donations will also pay for a $1,480 large screen television and a three-year, $3,000 cable subscription. Another $7,000 in donations will pay for tables in the commons area, along with a $3,000 glass case, $2,300 refrigerator, a $900 stove, and $400 microwave for the concessions area.

A $4,000 donation will pay for a hockey recognition wall in the commons area. Another $1,000 donation will pay for a closed circuit camera in the ice arena.