City approves District 518 plan to discuss new ice facility option

The Worthington City Council on Tuesday unanimously agreed to support a recommendation from Worthington Independent School District 518 regarding long-discussed plans for a new ice facility.

The District 518 Board of Education had approved a motion last week "to direct administration to enter into discussion with City of Worthington administration to develop an ownership, lease/rental and operational agreement for an arena facility to be built on the Intermediate School property site and enter into discussion with the school district’s facility consultant for the development of this project." Development of an ice arena project began in early 2024, and it had been resolved late last year to pursue an effort that included necessary improvements to the existing ice arena and construction of a new single-sheet arena addition at the Nobles County Fair Grounds site with a total project budget of $16 million.

Rising costs and other factors -- including a reconsideration of the project by the county fair board as a result of the green space required to comply with storm water management requirements — resulted in the school board's action last week. In voting to support that action, the council ultimately decided that the latest approach was a means of keeping the conversation about the project going, as councilwoman Amy Ernst suggested.

While there was talk among some council members Tuesday about what to do now with the current ice arena and about funding for a new facility on school property, council members ultimately decided to support the school board's motion and make no further decisions at this time.

Among multiple other business items Tuesday night, the council approved a rental agreement for use of Memorial Auditorium Performing Arts Center by District 518.

The school district uses the auditorium for its productions. This agreement reserves the facility for District 518’s use for a total of 62 days per contract year. Should the usage exceed 62 days per contract year, ISD 518 shall pay a pro-rated amount for the additional days.

The current agreement expires on June 30. Administration staffs from both the city and the school district recommended renewing a three-year agreement, in effect from July 1 to June 30, 2029.

The proposed agreement includes an approximately 5% increase for each of the three years of the new contract and provides that the school district shall pay the city rental fees of $40,000 for the first year, $42,000 for the second and $44,000 for third. The fees received from District 518 represent approximately 80 percent of Memorial Auditorium’s total budgeted annual user fees.

In another matter, council members approved a resolution that will make possible a Worthington Police Department's 24-month subscription to Citizen Observer's tip411 program.

Tip411 will allow citizens to send anonymous tips directly to the WPD via web, text message and customized iPhone and Android apps. Citizens can also attach images and video to their tips to provide the  WPD with more specific information. WPD investigators will be able to participate in two-way conversations with sources who are able to remain anonymous.

Cost of the 24-month subscription is $7,800. The Buffalo Ridge Drug Task Force was the first task force in the United States to implement such a program and used it very successfully.