In uncertain economic times, it is only natural for municipalities and school districts to take long, hard looks at where money is being spent.
The Millar Civic Center has been at the forefront of discussion in the community and on social media sites of late because much-needed, and costly improvements are needed at the facility.
Last week, the Houlton Town Council chambers was filled with people showing their support for the civic center, and specifically the hockey program, as residents feared the center might have been a target for the chopping block.
During that meeting, members of the town council stressed that there were no plans to close the facility as they have already allocated funds for a number of improvements to the building.
The town has already agreed to spend $35,000 on needed equipment repairs and upgrades at the civic center, thanks to a capital improvement loan package recently approved by the town council. Included in the loan was $22,000 for a new computerized temperature control system; $12,000 to replace a compressor for the ice rink; and $1,000 for a new skate sharpener. Those funds were allocated as part of a $194,000 loan to be paid back over a five-year period.
Also included in part of the loan was $25,000 to be placed in the town’s hockey board reserve account, bringing the total amount set aside for hockey boards to $75,000. However, it has been estimated that new boards would run between $150,000-$160,000.
The need for new hockey boards has been discussed for the past several years. The current boards were previously owned when they were purchased and have long outlived their life expectancy.
The town tried thinking outside the box and approached RSU 29 to consider paying for half of the new boards when the school district was putting together its budget. The school board declined to assist with the venture, stating since the school district did not own the facility, it could not use money from the capital improvements account to fund the project.
The town council reviewed ways to boost revenues at the civic center back in January, 2012. At that time, it was stated the civic center costs taxpayers $100,000 a year just to break even.
A Civic Center Advisory Board was formed, with members of the town council, civic center staff and general public joining forces to brainstorm on ways to improve the facility. In March, 2012, the group decided that new hockey boards were a top priority and that fund-raising efforts should begin to help assist with the cost.
Sadly, that group disbanded after just a couple of sessions, with no concrete plan of action put in motion.
The largest user of the facility is the Southern Aroostook Minor Hockey Association (SAMHA) which rents ice time for practices and games for five to six squads during the winter months. The second largest user is the Houlton-Hodgdon Blackhawk hockey team. Public skating use was a distant third in terms of generating revenue.
Perhaps it is time for the town to revist how much it charges for ice time. The town council started that process in July 2012, but ultimately decided not to raise its ice rates. Pursuing sponsorship banners to be placed on the hockey boards is another step in the right direction by the town.
The civic center has historically operated in the red and several members of the town council have gone on record as saying the building has never turned a profit. But sometimes turning a profit is not the end-all, especially when it comes to providing services for children.
True, not everyone goes skating during winter. But it is an opportunity in the winter for our area youth to get some much-needed exercise. It also provides a safe place for our kids to socialize with their peers.