Resolution 14-035 Support Homer Hockey Association Efforts to Secure Funding to Purchase Ice Rink

CITY OF HOMER
HOMER, ALASKA

City Manager/Lewis/Zak

RESOLUTION 14-035

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF HOMER, ALASKA, SUPPORTING HOMER HOCKEY ASSOCIATION’S (AKA HOMER ICE RINK) EFFORTS TO SECURE FUNDING FOR THE PURCHASE OF THE EXISTING ICE RINK FACILITIES.

WHEREAS, An ice rink is an important source of all-weather winter recreation for the city of Homer, Alaska, and surrounding areas,  including Ninilchik, Anchor Point, Nikolaevsk, Kachemak Selo,  and other Kenai Peninsula communities; and

WHEREAS, Homer’s ice rink serves as a wholesome source of competition and exercise for individuals of all ages; and

WHEREAS, Activities at Homer’s ice rink foster sportsmanship, a sense of fair play, and a sense of community; and

WHEREAS, The current facility, built in 2005, is heavily used by the community with weekly visits in excess of 800 persons; and

WHEREAS, In 2013/14, the Homer ice rink has been the site of 72 youth games, 16 out-of-town team practices, 3 jamboree tournaments, and 11 high school games, all of which attract winter visitors to Homer; and

WHEREAS, The Homer Ice Rink has been operated successfully as the Homer Hockey Association non-profit 501(c)(3) since 1996; and

WHEREAS, The Homer rink is the only non-profit run rink in Alaska and one of only four in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The coaches, managers, Board of Directors, and other members of HHA have contributed 14,000 volunteer hours in the 2013-14 season; and

WHEREAS, The Homer Hockey Association has successfully operated the rink and its programs for over nine years; and

WHEREAS, One of the reasons for this success was the requirement of repayment of only the interest on the loan used to finance construction of the rink; and

WHEREAS, In the Fall of 2015, Homer Hockey Association will be required to make payments on the loan principle,  more than doubling monthly expenses on the rink; and

WHEREAS, These additional financial burdens will make rink operations fiscally impossible.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Homer City Council supports efforts by Homer Hockey Association members and supporters to secure funding to purchase the rink, free the Homer Hockey Association from the building debt burden, and thus guarantee the future of the tremendous community asset that is the Homer Ice Rink.

PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Homer City Council this 10th day of March, 2014.

                                                                                                         CITY OF HOMER

                                                                                                         ______________________
                                                                                                         MARY E. WYTHE, MAYOR

ATTEST:

____________________________
JO JOHNSON, MMC, CITY CLERK

Fiscal Note: N/A