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| Headlines 10/3/01: UPDATED! Rink-Raising Activities (a.k.a. Sweat Equity) Scrap Book Pictures of the progress (but slow downloading) - updated 1/11/01 Expansion Status 2/14/02: TYH President's Message. Why an Expansion? UPDATED. We're still needing donations for Phase 2. For more about the OmniCenter, follow the HOME Rinks button (on the left.).     |
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TYH President's Message... New Rink Update:2/14/02To: Tornado Youth Hockey Members (& C.R.G.H.), From: Kirstin Case Subject: Building Expansion/TYH Financial Status-Your Involvement Needed I hope this message finds you enjoying hockey as we move toward the close of our season. Last July, I communicated a very important message to all of you so that we could gain your support in moving ahead with some improvements to our second rink. I want to personally thank each of you that let Onalaska City Council members know of our interest in having a safer and more usable facility by winter. Many thanks go to the Mayor Bialecki, City Council Members, OmniCenter Staff, TCI and the Community Development Authority and all of you for working together to accomplish this goal in four months. It was an incredible feat of teamwork and hard work on everyone's part. If you remember what it was like to play hockey on rink two last year, I hope that you have come to appreciate the improvements made this year. As you may already be aware, the City has made the decision to finish this project in its entirety through enlisting the help of Saterbak and Associates, a professional fund-raising firm. An estimated $1.8-2.0 million is needed to add more locker rooms and to purchase resurfacing equipment, a scoreboard and a new rink system, and to make other structural improvements that will make this a community facility. This fundraising project calls for many willing volunteers to serve on critical committees. These groups will convene to develop project goals, communicate and publicize activities and to eventually solicit contributions. Tornado Youth Hockey is the most prominent tenant in the OmniCenter Complex. As such, we need to be part of this effort. Our hope is to secure the funding so that the facility can be completed in time for next season. You may be called to serve on one of the committees. Please seriously think about becomin! g involved. Don't wait to be called. Call me at 783-7247 if you want to assist. TYH needs to be fully represented throughout this fundraising process in order to preserve our interests during the completion phase (and after) and to show our community support. Before this season began, the OmniCenter advanced approximately $207,000 from their maintenance fund in order for us to have walls and locker rooms that you see today. The commitment was made to have this money recovered through future fundraising contributions. Also, the existing rink system on the second rink must be torn down at the end of this season. We did everything we could to keep it functional for this season, but it has seen its day. These are two are clear, immediate and compelling reasons (among others already mentioned) why TYH involvement is needed in the building expansion fundraising process. While there are other amenities planned such as meeting rooms and concession areas (that we will likely use too), we are the chief tenant and carry the most to lose or gain from the outcome. Plus, many of us use the OmniCenter during the offseason for other activities that make it truly a community facility. Although hockey growth was the i! mpetus for the expansion project, the City made it very clear that the project would not exist unless revenues could be produced for other events during the offseason. Along with being a part of this larger effort to complete the complex, I want to be clear with you on a related matter. As an organization, our own financial needs must be met as we progress with being part of the completion phase. Our own organization continues to carry nearly $45,000 in debt for construction of the first phase. Piece of the Ice pledges continue to lag behind expectations. We needed to surcharge registration fees this year simply to cover interest on our debt. Additionally from an operating perspective, this has been a challenging year due to revenue reductions through loss of concessions and less than expected results from other traditional activities. Increases in ice time costs and tournament fees, along with a few other unanticipated expenses have also posed a financial challenge for us. Through some frugal cost management, we should be able to balance the equation by fiscal year end. Moving forward, I'm asking that we all be sensitive about the need to reduce our debt, balance our budget and be part of the larger effort to finish the facility. This all needs to happen together so that we remain financially viable and can have a safe, comfortable skating and community facility. As you can tell, we need a lot of parent support to be successful with our program. This has always been a stronghold of our association. We have met many challenges already last year and this year, and I am extremely confident that together, we will prosper in the end by having great hockey in great facilities. Please contact any board member or myself if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you for your continued support of Tornado Youth Hockey and best wishes to you and your skaters for a safe and successful completion to the season. Sincerely yours, Kirstin Case President, Tornado Youth Hockey (& C.R.G.H. Coach), 
OmniCenter Expansion Status10/3/01The CDA has agreed to fund a portion of Phase 2 in advance of our planned fundraising efforts to mitigate several safety and usability problems we experienced last winter. Among the items included in "Pase 2 Subphase 1" are... 'dry' sprinklers; west, north, and east masonry walls; south temporary metal wall; enclosure tunnel to connect with the main OmniCenter; and two masonry locker rooms, plus the water, sewer, and electrical rough-in for these items and in preparation for the full Phase 2. The bidding process was expedited and work has begun. They should be completed in time for us to start laying ice the first week of November. See below for things PARENTS can work on. 1/11/01 Just like prior years, if you're under 18, you MUST have a helmet and mouthguard to skate on this rink. Over 18, it's highly encouraged, but we're not your mommy. Spectators: please watch out for flying pucks, and for slick concrete if there's any snow on it. Have pride in your facility - take your trash with you. 11/27/00 The official groundbreaking was held Tuesday, August 1 behind the OmniCenter. With that groundbreaking, we had concrete poured in October and roof is going up, so we might have skatable ice in the new rink by December! Now, we have to continue working on getting the fundraising in place for Phase 2, so the construction won't have a lull between the portions. Thanks!
Rink-Raising Activies (Sweat Equity)10/3/01 While the rink itself will be replaced under the full phase 2, we have to repair the current rink to last us at least another year.
8/15/00 Do you remember hearing about the old-fashioned work days held around farms? Whenever a farmer was erecting a new structure, they'd hold a barn-raising party... a work-day where the community got together and helped out one of their own. Of course, he was also expected to return the favor at some future point. Everyone took pride in the accomplishments of the day, and participated in some wholesome socializing. Like that farmer, the OmniCenter is needing help for several steps of the Rink-Raising. Not only are we holding the cost down by doing some of the less technical tasks, but our families also get a sense of OWNERSHIP by having gotten dirty in the process. We'll try to keep the website calendar updated, along with the HotLine - but since construction works at its own pace, we may not be able to get out a long lead-time on some of the steps. If you can help out, please notify TYH (Dave Christianson at 781.3043) or CRGH (Tim Hanson at 781.4786) board member, or the WebMaster; we'll get your name added to the calling list for particular events that you're interested in. Sorry; since these are one-time items, they cannot count towards any Service Hours commitment, but we'll appreciate the help, none the less! {Does there have to be a direct benefit/credit to enlist your help?}
Why an OmniCenter Expansion?3/25/00The CDA held a public information meeting on March 21, 2000 to present the OmniCenter Expansion project. They started out talking about the original Van Riper Park, conceived in 1989 and now completed. The master plan centerpiece was the OmniCenter; an all-purpose year-round focal point. The Omni has been used by civic groups, religious groups, families, companies, trade shows, and citywide events. While the park was and is a great improvement, Onalaska has experienced growth that wasn't envisioned just ten years ago. The original OmniCenter schedule planned for 600 hours of ice time; almost 1,200 hours were paid for in the season just ended (using most every possible hour). TYH/CRGH, based on outside purchases last year, are estimating buying another 600 hours "somewhere." For the 2000/2001 year, there are only two open weekends at the Omni. The project has been split into two major phases. The first portion consists of the shell, refrigerated floor, and preparatory site work (e.g., footings) required for the second phase, at a cost of $802,435. Note that the first phase is essentially the original hockey rink proposal: a cold floor, and a roof. The second portion adds walls (complimentary to present OmniCenter), locker rooms (4 youth, 2 high-school), and the entry area (concessions, meeting room, rest rooms) at a cost of $558,094. We currently have $500,000 of pledges, cash, and in-kind donations, and $400,000 pledged from Onalaska Tourism and Commerce Commission. In funding the first phase, we're actually able to hold $100,000 towards the second phase, leaving $460,000 in fundraising before project would be complete. While there is some city concern about starting the project before all the cash is in hand or pledged, the CDA thinks this two phase approach is a strong one: not only do we get the additional ice sheet up more quickly, it proves to the community that we're all serious about completing the project. While the OmniCenter would not be able to expand its target market before the second building was enclosed, the roofed area would be beneficial for private groups, company picnics, and citywide events in the interim. This two phase proposal has two qualities that will ring with the area voters: no burden to taxpayers, and no pressure against city bond rating. Jim Bailecki talked about the Tourism pledge to the Omni expansion along with their support of other projects (waterfront and Centering Onalaska, to name a few). This plan calls for: limited taxpayer exposure, dollars first (vs. build then recover costs), self-sufficient building, and letter of credit from local bank to cover construction financing. The initial findings of the Economic Impact survey, taken during several recent tournament weekends, showed the average visiting family planned to spend $213/day (gas, food, lodging, souvenirs, shopping), or over $400 for the weekend. In doing the math of the number of families times the number of teams times the number of tournament weekends, "now we're talking some serious money". These tournament impact statistics do not account for teams visiting for a single game (e.g., league, or pickup games). Points discussed: Parking... During ice season, existing lots are ample (except for large- draw H.S. games). Some popular events (e.g., home show) cause visitors to park up to a quarter- mile away. Plans for additional lots and access are under way (north of Omni on new property {more for vendors than visitors}, and lighted walkway to new lot between soccer and baseball fields). Impact to present paydown... Easier to rent larger facility. Current Omni financing still has 12 years to go. No additional tax dollars available. Originally estimated Omni in black by '95 (actual was '96, and now have some surplus). Larger facility allows more or larger hockey tournaments. Currently losing average of one wedding per month due to facility already spoken for. Onalaska High School would like to hold some spring events here, but we're not big enough. Would be able to bid against LaCrosse Center for some larger shows. Wider use building?... a true Community Center (rec. center, weight rooms, pool, Boys/Girls club) would be significantly more (recent Twin Cities centers... $13/$14M), land limitations hinder possibilities, good idea but currently beyond our needs. Other intangibles... Less local travel to neighboring rinks. Less early-morning practice for youth and minimized impact to religious activities on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Dual H.S. locker rooms meets the federal standards for equivalent gender facilities. New donated chiller is large enough to run both new sheet and present sheet (current chiller regularly has problems with maintaining the existing sheet). Elected Officials attitudes?... Given upcoming [2000] election, must publicize the project being in the interest of the taxpayers, vs. personal or business interests. We're planning a structure that is ice for 5 months, and available otherwise for 7 months - it's a Civic Center, not a Hockey Center. Must assure public of financial arrangements. The presentation concluded with a discussion on the next steps in the process. It was estimated that we could be ready, pending all necessary permissions are received, to move dirt in 30-60 days! (Steps include: final design plan, DNR approval, Parks&Rec. approval, School Board approval, State Trust Fund loan grant, CDA letter of intent, Planning Commission and their public hearing, and the City Council.) The most important meeting to come is when the proposal is brought up before the Onalaska City Council. Your participation in this meeting will mean more to the project than a financial pledge (but we really need both). Without a VERY STRONG PARENT showing at this meeting, the few Councilmen in opposition could undermine a lot of work and fundraising. With a lot of visible support, it'll be hard for someone to vote against the public's wishes. Please stay tuned for the date of this meeting - to be publicized when known.
Fund Raising for the Expansion9/4/00The "Phase 1" Piece-of-the-Ice Board is nearly full, but we've a lot of fundraising left to do for Phase 2 and there are a lot of families that have yet to contribute to the project. A new Piece-of-the-Ice Board has been created and will be available at the [01/02] TYH/CRGH Registration day at Onalaska Middle School. Also, if you have any questions about the three-year program, there will be knowledgable representatives around to get you straight answers. If you want a "PRIME" spot, show up early. As before the squares on the Piece-of-the-Ice Board come in 3 sizes: Gold ($1,000), Silver ($600), and Bronze ($400). Remember that this can be a 3-year pledge, meaning Gold would be $334, $333, & $333 each year; that's less than a dollar a day for the TOP bracket... even less if you pledge a Silver or Bronze portion.. Contact Vickie Wagner, 783-0652, to get your name on a Piece of the Ice. 8/1/00 We've broken ground on Phase 1 (Roof, and chiller/floor), at around $800,000. Now, we're looking for an additional $500,000 to complete the walls, 6 locker rooms, and common spaces. What's a quality program worth? Have you made a financial commitment to the expansion project? Not all TYH/CRGH families have yet contributed; have we heard from you?. Corporations, businesses, and foundations are being solicited to complete this facility expansion. |
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