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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - October 10,2000 8 . Councilmember Grant stated that he would support the continuation of a rink at Valentine Park. He added he has skated there for many years. He added that a rink should be included in the park regardless of the future use of the park. Councilmember Larson stated he would wish to learn why staff recommends shutting down the rinks, He added he understands the park has been physically unsuitable for flooding a rink, and staffing of the warminghouses has been an issue. Mr. Moore stated that from a historical standpoint, numbers of skaters have been very low in Valentine Park, He added that outdoor skating as a recreational activity has been declining with the advent of indoor ice rinks and skating areas. He noted that Valentine Park has had the worst attendance in the City, and Cummings Park has had the second worst attendance. Mr. Moore stated there has been a rink in Valentine Park for many years, as noted by Councilmember Grant. He added the location ofthe rink and the terrain has changed with the addition of the parking lot and the location ofthe warminghouse, He noted it is difficult to maintain ice at that location. Council member Larson asked where the nearest available pleasure rink is located, Mr. Moore stated that Freeway Park has a pleasure rink and a hockey rink, both of which will have more general skating time than in the past due to the restriction of use by Bethel College. He added . that there are pleasure rinks at Perry Park and Hazelnut Park (which has the best ice in the City and is the most active facility). Mr. Moore stated there are three parks with significant pleasure or hockey rinks to choose from within a five-minute radius of Valentine Park. Couneilmember Grant stated that the pleasure rink at Hazelnut Park is moderately sized compared to the Shoreview figure skating rink which is significant in size, Mr. Moore stated the rink at Hazelnut Park is the largest rink in the City with large numbers of skaters every year. Councilmember Grant stated that demand would increase as the City reduces the number of rinks. He added he supports re-establishment of the rink at Valentine Park. Councilmember Rem stated she is confused by the staff memo of October 4, which indicates that Valentine Park's rink should remain closed until the Comprehensive Plan is completed, and yet recommends the immediate elimination of the rink at Cummings Park. She noted that the PTRC, which serves the community well, made a recommendation which was overturned by City staff. Couneilmember Rem stated, in her opinion, that this issue and the street improvement project represent poor policy making, She expressed concern that it seems to residents that when they don't want something, they get it, and when they want something, they can't have it. .