Newly Green Ice Rinks Could Get Stimulus Help

Cities with aging ice arenas are finding new ways to come up with money to make improvements. Some of the improvements aren't just good for the people who use the ice, but also the environment.

When cities look to upgrade their ice arenas, making them more energy efficient could make the arenas eligible for federal stimulus dollars.

Since the mid 70's, the New Hope arena has been the place to skate for thousands of people each year. In order to keep the skates on ice, the arena's refrigeration system need to be replaced the arena's director says in the next five years, as do the dehumidifiers that hang over the arenas oldest sheet of ice.

Director Jim Corbett says he and the city of New Hope are looking everywhere for the money to make the improvements that will those on the ice and the environment. Finding ways to go a little greener with their improvements could help New Hope get its hands on some federal stimulus money.

At Edina’s Braemar Arena, the arena is making more than $2 million worth of improvements. Included in that is $220,000 for new humidifiers in two arenas, but that will be paid for with federal stimulus dollars.

In New Hope, they hope funding for the future improvements will be found by the end of the year.