09/23/2024
Projects like this bring millions of dollars into our local economy every year. Please support a second sheet of ice!
A few questions from voters on Proposition 2: Second Sheet of Ice at the Casper Ice Arena:
Q.) What happened to the ice at the Event Center?
A.) In 2020, the Casper Ice Arena decommissioned a 35-year-old R-22 ice plant(the Freon refrigeration system that keeps the ice cold) for multiple reasons including the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) banned the production and import of R-22. After this date, only recycled, reclaimed, or recovered supplies of R-22 are available, which makes finding the specific refrigeration nearly impossible and very expensive. The refrigeration system was relocated from the Ford Wyoming Center to the Casper Ice Arena. This relocated refrigeration system can chill two ice sheets with modifications.
Q.) Is another ice rink justified?
A.) Yes, based on the feasibility study in July of 2022, the proposed ice rink expansion has enough demand from existing groups to fill 36%of prime-time rental space on the additional sheet of ice immediately after construction. With that, a second sheet of ice also provides the opportunity to expand economic impact by hosting larger and more frequent hockey tournaments and ice-related events. Additionally, gives our youth athletes realistic practice times during the school year.
Youth athletes regularly practice figure skating at 6:15 am before school starts because of the lack of ice times available in the evening. Youth hockey players routinely practice until 10:30 pm on school nights (Heading home at 11:00 pm on Monday/Wednesday evenings). With that, our local clubs, and recreation programming provided by the Parks and Recreation Division cannot provide more programs like Learn-To-Skate, Learn-To-Play Hockey, Adult Hockey Leagues, In-House Hockey Leagues, Weekend Skating Clinic, and more because ice times are so limited.
Q.) Where is it going to be located?
A.) The second sheet will be located on the cemetery side to the west of the current building. It will take up all the grass area, but it will only cut into a little bit of the current parking lot.
Please reach out with your questions, or to learn more visit us at
https://www.casperwy.gov/business/tax_information/specific_purpose_sales_and_use_tax
