Youth hockey and figure skating aficionados need not fret. Despite inactivity last week, construction of the Icon Sports Center on Grand Forks' south end is only slightly behind schedule.
Work on the arena has resumed after being shut down for most of last week by high winds. Raising the structural steel roof in those conditions would have been treacherous, necessitating the delay, according to Bill Palmiscno, Grand Forks Park District director.
"We're only about a week behind schedule," he said.
When construction started last September, the $8.6 million, 91,000 square-foot facility was scheduled for a Sept. 15, 2014, opening.
What's still uncertain is if it will open with one ice sheet or two.
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Icon Architectural Group gained the building's naming rights with a $2 million donation and the McKinnon Co. paid $500,000 for the naming rights to one ice sheet. The other sheet's name is still available for $500,000. Park Board commissioners have said they won't approve the building of the second sheet without a sponsor.
Palmiscno said a potential ice sheet sponsor is "deliberating and we hope to know by the end of this month."
Also available are sponsorships of the arena lobby and Zamboni for $100,000 each, the sports shop for $75,000, one locker room for $50,000 and the officials' locker room for $25,000.
Other sponsorships that have been sold are the training room and community room for $100,000 each, and nine locker rooms for $50,000 each.
The Grand Forks Blue Line Club has donated $3.5 million, but the organization's leaders didn't want naming rights because it already has a city arena bearing its name near Red River High School.
Call Bakken at (701) 780-1125, (800) 477-6572 ext. 1125 or send email to rbakken@gfherald.com .
