The Hastings City Council on Monday night approved for planning to get underway for expansion and redevelopment of the Hastings Civic Ice Arena and the Veterans Athletic Complex.

Consulting firm ISG, Inc. will be contracted to work with the Parks & Recreation staff on the planning. Funding will come from the Park Development Fund. The Veterans Athletic Complex expansion planning is projected at $58,000. Planning at the ice arena was projected at $28,000.

“The Parks & Recreation Commission has discussed the need for both of these planning processes at multiple meetings in 2023, and commission supports both. At the April 19 meeting, unanimous support was provided for both efforts,” Parks & Recreation Director Chris Jenkins said in a memo to the city council. “The proposed process for both efforts is the baseline planning to begin contemplating future funding strategies and opportunities with an accurate representation of the facilities needed, desired, and able to fit within a given footprint, existing property or building.”

Jenkins said there has been discussion of centralizing outdoor athletics at Veterans Athletic Complex for more than 15 years.

“Most pointed is the fact that Hastings does not have adequate athletic facilities to support the youth and adult athletics in Hastings, and using athletic fields located in neighborhood parks is not sustainable or desirable (geographically spread out, no dedicated parking, no support facilities, lacking ability to host major tournaments, etc.). Quality athletic facilities are seen as a tool to attract and retain families with young children, and as an economic driver to increase activity at local businesses (restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores, hotels, shopping centers, etc.). Creating the vision for an expanded facility is the first, and most critical step in strategically planning for this facility to create positive, community wide impacts,” according to Jenkins.

While the city council in May gave the go-ahead for renovations at the Civic Ice Arena, this is planning for other things. Renovation and planning are underway for replacement of the west roof of the complex and upgrading the refrigeration system. That project will also include solar panels on the new roof to help power the complex and efficient LED lighting. The city had hoped for help paying for the project through the bonding bill passed by the State Legislature, but the project didn’t make the final vote.

The city was seeking 50 percent from the state for the $4.5 million project, and Gov. Tim Walz had recommended its inclusion in the bonding bill.

This next piece of planning is to create a future vision for the ice arena.

“Vision planning for renovating and updating the Hastings Civic Arena is also strongly supported, and it is understood that renovation and expansion of this facility (mostly in the lobby, restrooms, office space, storage, seating, locker rooms, etc. areas) is critical so the facility can serve our community and region for the next 30-50 years,” according to Jenkins.

Under the motion by Councilmember Tina Folch, planning for ice arena improvements will take place this year, and Veterans Park next year. She said the ice arena improvements should come first, since planning could coincide with renovations that will already be underway at the facility in 2024.