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<br />ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL - October 10,2000 <br /> <br />D'). <br />,.....,< <br /> <br /> <br />!'?~ <br />, <br /> <br />ii <br /> <br />8 <br /> <br />Councilmember Larson stated he would wish to learn why staff recommends shutting dovm the <br />rinks. He added he understands the park has been physically unsuitable for flooding a rink, and . <br />staffing of the warminghouses has been an issue. <br /> <br />Mr. Moore stated that from a historical standpoint, numbers of skaters have been very low in <br />Valentine Park. Hc addcd that outdoor skating as a recrcational activity has been declining with <br />the advent of indoor icc rinks and skating areas. He noted that Valentine Park has had the worst <br />attendance in the City, and Cummings Park has had the second worst attendancc. <br /> <br />Mr. Moore stated there has been a rink in Valcntine Park for many years, as noted by <br />Council member Grant. He added the location of the rink and the terrain has changed with the <br />addition of the parking lot and the location of the wanninghousc. He noted it is difficult to <br />maintain ice at that location. <br /> <br />Councilmembcr Larson asked where the nearest available pleasure rink is located. Mr. Moore <br />stated that Frceway Park has a pleasure rink and a hockey rink, both of which will have more <br />genera] skating time than in the past due to the restriction of use by Bethel College. He added <br />that there arc pleasure rinks at Perry Park and Hazelnut Park (which has the best ice in the City <br />and is thc most active facility). <br /> <br />Mr. Moore stated there are thrcc parks with pleasurc or hockey rinks to choose from within a <br />fiye-minute radius of Valentine Park. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant stated that the pleasure rink at Hazelnut Park is moderately sized <br />compared to the Shoreview figure skating rink which is significant in size. Mr. Moore stated the <br />rink at Hazclnut Park is the largest rink in the City with large numbers of skaters every year. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grant stated that demand would increase as the City reduces the number of <br />rinks. He added he supports re-establishment of the rink at Valentine Park. <br /> <br />Councilmember Rem stated shc is confused by the staff memo of October 4, which indicates that <br />Valentine Park's rink should remain closed until the Comprehensive Plan is completed, and yet <br />recommends the immediate elimination of the rink at Cummings Park. She noted that the PTRC, <br />which serves the community well, made a recommendation which was overturned by City staff. <br /> <br />Councilmember Rem stated, in her opinion, that this issuc and the street improvement project <br />represent poor policy making. She expressed concern that it seems to residents that when they <br />don't want something, they get it, and when they want something, thcy can't have it. <br /> <br />Councilmember Rem stated that if the neighborhood residents want a rink in Valentine Park, a <br />rink should be established. She added that residents have presented their reasons and the Council <br />act on the PTRC's recommendations. <br /> <br />Mayor Probst stated he takes exception to the comments of Councilmember Rem. He added it is . <br />unfair and incorrect to suggest from the bench that the Council purposefully does the opposite of <br />what residents want. <br />