Civic Center Board Examines Volunteer Options

IRONWOOD, MI - Thursday, August 27, 2009 - The Pat O'Donnell Civic Center Board held their regular monthly meeting yesterday evening in the Women's Club Room on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building. The meeting was scheduled to begin at 5:30 PM, however, it was delayed due to the fact that the Memorial Building needed to be unlocked.

ROUTINE BUSINESS

Once the members and attendees were able to get into the Memorial Building, Chairman George Goerig called the meeting to order. Roll call was taken by Board Secretary Dan Collins. All Board members were present: Chairman George Goerig; John Lorenson; Dan Collins; Jeff Haukkala; Charles Lotzer; John Kasieta; Scott Stephens; and Tom Laabs. Representatives of the Ice Crystals and the Polar Bear Hockey Club were also in attendance. The only press covering the meeting was the Superior Chronicle and yours truly.

The Board's first duty was to approve the minutes from past meetings. Minutes from July 22nd; August 5th; and August 10th, 2009 were approved unanimously as presented.

Chairman Goerig added "Polar Bear Coupon Book" to the Agenda under "Operations Update" and then the Board unanimously approved the amended Agenda.

FINANCIALS

STAFFING UPDATE

2009/2010 Season Volunteer Labor - According to a handout prepared by the Board, the Civic Center's goal is to save money for Center improvements and prepare for four years of operations after the millage is completed.

Last year labor expenses totalled $30,000. The objective of the Board is to reduce the labor to $15,000. In other words, the Board would like to reduce labor costs by 50%. Based on a wage of $10.00/hour (all items include benefits/extras) this would mean a 1500 hour reduction based on six months of operation between October and March.

Clubs would have two people or teams trained on Zamboni operation, and would be responsible for cleaning concessions, sweeping stands, skate sharpening, locker room clean-up, bathroom clean-up and lobby clean-up.

The Civic Center would be responsible for daily ice prep, open skating, daily/weekly PM maintenance, skate sharpening, lobby clean-up, bathroom clean-up, and Zamboni mantenance and break down maintenance (some items are shared responsibilities).

Polar Bears would take 2/3 time and the Ice Crystals would take 1/3 based on the '08 ice time. The Polar Bears would have to take 1000 hours or 166 hours per month. The Ice Crystals would have to take 500 hours or 83 hours per month. Possible perks or reward options for clubs in aiding with the labor reduction include: (1) Clubs keep concessions (10%); (2) Reduce or hold ice rates to clubs; (3) eliminate or reduce storage fees; (4) allow free in-season ice time, that is non-normal hours, tournaments, give them a certain amount of free hours; and (5) allow clubs first chance to run event concessions, home/sport shor, snow cross, etc.