FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Why doesn't the City of Mahtomedi Build a hockey rink?
The city of Mahtomedi has attempted multiple times to direct funds towards building an ice arena. The city has attempted to secure funding through a citywide vote at least twice and both have failed. Moreover, school district referendum's have also passed very, very narrowly. So the best viable option to build an arena of our own is to privately fund it.
What is the proposed location of the Mahtomedi Ice Arena?
The rink will be built on the Mahtomedi School District Property in the City of Grant, directly to the Northeast of Black Parking lot, and East of Field #6 (New baseball field) and West of the current lacrosse/soccer/football Fields #9 and #10. Just as you are taking a right to go down the driveway to the Wildwood Elementary, there is a huge open field to your left. That is the spot!
Where does the project currently stand?
In 2019 we received unanimous approval (5-0) from the Grant City Council to Amend the current Conditional Use Permit for the Mahtomedi School District Property for the purpose of building an Ice Arena. Since that approval we have been diligently raising private funds to build the arena which is the only barrier left to having our own arena!!!
Who is RINC 2 Corp?
We are a non-profit 501c3 that consists of four members: Brandon Sampair, Tim Boberg, Johnny Redpath and Alex Rogosheske. Our involvement is 100% voluntary and no compensation of any kind is received. ALL MONEY RAISED will go towards the construction and operation of the arena.
Why the name RINC 2 Corp?
The name is an ohmage to a previous rink initiative in Mahtomedi led by Pete Sampair and Paul Rogosheske. The name of their group was R.I.N.C which is an acronym for Recreational Ice and Neighborhood Center. We got super creative and called ourselves RINC 2! I am kidding of course but the idea is central to our project. We want this building to be more than just a hockey rink. We want it to be a place where the community gathers. We have made the commitment to take the ice out every year from March 15 – May 15 to allow for any spring sports to practice inside. We will have turf for baseball, soccer, lacrosse, the sky is the limit. We want to have educational classes during the school day, we want to open the lobby up to local businesses to operate. We will have a walking track inside (similar to Roseville arena) for the community to come and exercise. We are working with the Youth Baseball Association to potentially put permanent batting cages in. We are so excited for the possibility to serve the community’s needs.
How much money have you raised?
We have currently raised about $1,000,000.00 dollars. This includes current cash in the bank, cash pledges and in-kind donations (pledges for labor, materials and other products to aid construction)
Who owns the land?
The land is owned by the Mahtomedi School District. However, we have signed a 20-year lease with the option to renew for 20 more years after that. The cost of the lease is $1 per year. Which has already been paid!
Who owns the building?
RINC 2 will own and operate the building but the school district owns the land.
Is RINC 2 part of the Mahtomedi Youth hockey association?
No. We are a private, non-profit organization that is NOT affiliated or associated or partnered with Mahtomedi Youth Hockey, we have nothing to do with the City of Mahtomedi or the City of Grant. We are completely independent of all of those organizations. However, we are working closely with all of them to accomplish our goal of building the rink!
What happened to monies raised for past arena projects?
In 1999 during the last rink initiative in Mahtomedi, a donation was made of $700,000 to the City of Stillwater to help build the North Rink at St. Croix Valley Recreation Center. With this donation, MYHA and both high school programs (girls and boys) secured a 20-year lease at St. Croix. In 2020, that same contract was extended 5 additional years and we are currently working on another extension that will keep our home rink at St. Croix until we are able to build our own! When you walk through the hallway entering the arena, as you enter the hallway, from the main entrance, there is a plaque on the wall on the left-hand side commemorating Mahtomedi’s donation!!!
How much will the rink cost?
The new cost of the ice arena is $18 million.
What fundraising have you done?
We have had many rink fundraising initiatives in the past 5 years. After the approvals from the City of Grant we hired a person that specialized in non-profit fundraising. However, due to poor timing, with the COVID pandemic and the lack of success we parted ways amicably parted ways. Since that time we have started a fundraising initiative on our own, 4,000 for $4,000. This is an initiative where we are working towards getting 4,000 people to donate $4,000 apiece. This will get us close to the cost of the amount needed to build our arena (at the time the cost of the arena was $16M, but due to the increased cost of construction the price has risen to $18M). To date this, has raised all our current monies. We have also started an annual pizza fundraiser in partnership with MYHA. Where all members are asked (not mandatory) to participate in selling Shelton Families pizzas. All monies raised go to the rink!!! We are also exploring partnerships will local businesses and families. We would love to meet with you if you are interested!!!
Have you explored other locations?
We have explored many, many locations included but not limited to: O.H. Anderson Elementary, the outdoor rinks in Mahtomedi, other locations on the Mahtomedi School District Property, locations in Maplewood near Fleet Farm, annexing property on the border of Grant into Mahtomedi, locations in the City of Hugo, purchasing other existing arenas, and Southwest Park. This group has exhausted a ton of time, effort and resources to explore just about every option in our community and surrounding communities. We have settled on the location near Wildwood Elementary. This decision was based on proximity and access to schools, an existing parking lot, ease of access by the community and to the freeway and a huge cost savings on the land!!! This land does not take away anything from any other group or activity.
How can I get involved?
Contact - Alex Rogosheske alex.rogosheske@rogo-law.com 651-253-3127,
Brandon Sampair bsampair@sampaircos.com 651-755-2954
or Tim Boberg taboberg@gmail.com 651-336-1797