Two weeks ago, improvements to the East Grand Forks Civic Center appeared doomed. Tonight at a City Council work session, they looked like a shoo-in, perhaps even a unanimous shoo-in.
Wayne Gregoire and Mike Pokrzywinski, the most vocal opponents during the last debate, even gave their blessings. But they said their opinions weren't 180-degree turns.
"I was always for the project even when I was against it," Gregoire said, referencing certain details. "The more research I did, the more I could put my arms around it."
Pokrzywinski noted that he earlier supported the city providing $100,000 for the $400,000 project. Since the tentative plan is for the city and school district to evenly split the cost of the improvements to the hockey arena, his support basically doubled.
Pokrzywinski also noted that there isn't a public clamor for arena improvements since 56 percent of voters opposed a $3 million bond issue for upgrades in 2004.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I have a hard time swallowing this in tough budget times, but I will support it," he said.
The $400,000 will build two locker rooms for high school girls hockey. The city will bond the project and the school district's half will come from paying higher rentals, probably over 10 years. Gregoire and Pokrzywinski noted that they support elevated rentals extending beyond the time of paying off the debt.
This year, the school district is paying $93,500 to rent the arena.
EGF School Superintendent Dave Pace and Tony Palmiscno, a school board member who once was the high school's boys hockey coach, represented the school district. Pace said school board members favored their half come through lease payments rather than up front because they "don't want to stick dollars into a building they don't own."
Palmiscno said "a lot of phone calls" and "better communication" contributed to the change of heart by council members.
The two locker rooms would allow the school district to comply with Title IX standards that call for comparable facilities for girls sports.
Mayor Lynn Stauss suggested adding an elevator and other repairs that would up the project to $500,000, to be split evenly by the city and school district.
The size of the project and other details will be discussed again at another work session and then voted on in late January.
ADVERTISEMENT
Reach Bakken at (701) 780-1125; (800) 477-6572, ext. 125; or send e-mail to rbakken@gfherald.com .
