Sioux Falls Youth Hockey Association

LAND:  We have 2 drawings from Sanford that show the 3 sheet facility to-scale located in two different locations on the Sanford project land. The difference between them is that the two plans show Howard Wood (should it relocate) in two different locations which is an effort to accommodate the concerns currently being expressed by Airport Authority about placement of the that facility.  We have an agreement with Sanford executives that these not be shared publicly as yet, but I can tell you that both seem quite workable.  The Sanford officials are currently working to build consensus on the Howard Wood placement issue with the Airport Authority which will allow the final development plan to come together.  At this point I believe the two drawings are adequate to support moving forward into the serious fundraising stage.

BUILDING/BUDGET:  We have a recent, detailed (4) phase approach with a base (Phase 1) facility configuration starting at around $7.7M which includes 3 rinks operational in a building the same layout as Brookings with a tilt wall front and metal back/sides.  Subsequent phases would add permanent seating/locker rooms rinkside along with the second level mezzanine bringing the master plan budget to around $11.4M.  We have also built a very detailed financial model that we will need some further detailed input to fully flesh out, specifically how many hours per week are currently consumed by each detailed user group (Atoms, Mites, Mite Travel, Squirt A/B/C, etc.).  We need the actual hours at a detailed level because we are building this model differently based on hour-for-hour demand so we can model how supply and demand will work with 3 sheets operational. More specifically, it will allow us to easily model organic growth / increased demand for hours and show overall facility utilization.

FUNDRAISING:  We recently had an in-depth conference call with a fundraising organization, and have a meeting scheduled with them on February 3rd.  In our recent discussions with them , they are satisfied with our progress on a) Land, b) Building Plan and c) Construction budget, and their reaction was that we have moved things along to where it is logical and appropriate to pursue funding approaches in earnest. Finally, our IRS tax exempt application which was submitted on 11.14.09 has not yet been approved, but we have confirmed receipt and acknowledgement that it is under review.

Click below for the story.

Four steps have been established by iSAF: Land, Building Plan, Builder, and Fundraising. The goal is to complete the first 3 steps by 4th quarter.

Land – met with Sanford, land needs to be annexed, and target for Junior Football use is 2012.

Building – not going back to square #1. Plan to utilize the modified Brookings rink with 3 ice rinks and an outdoor rink. The facility model has been forwarded to Joe Zueger.

Builder – one builder will offer a base line bid with 2009 figures on the model facility.

Fundraising – Need to determine goal amount per building base line bid and goal is to begin fundraising by 4th quarter.

Sioux Falls, SD – June 3, 2009 The SFYHA board voted to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the non-profit group, Ice Sports Activities Foundation. This agreement means that SFYHA will turn over the efforts of fundraising and building a new ice facility to the Ice Sports Activities Foundation. This third party group will be comprised of local business leaders and a representative from each user group. This non-profit organization is being headed up by Joe Zueger, Greg Starnes and Ben Graham and will be re-positioning the need for new ice facilities to serve the immediate and future needs of all ice sports activities and establish the facility as an important and necessary community asset. This does not eliminate any of the progress that the SFYHA board has made, instead this group will pick up where the board is and focus on bringing this project to fruition. The ISAF will be dedicated to filling a need in the community and working with all user groups to meet that need. At this time, the group has a lot of work ahead of them and as details are worked out we will make sure to convey this information. If you have any questions please contact one of your SFYHA board members.  This is an excellent opportunity for all user groups involved and a big step in the right direction.

Over the past several years Sioux Falls Youth Hockey has attempted to build a new ice facility to accommodate our members. Unfortunately this process has been slow and even though we are farther than we have ever been, we are still not to the point where a facility will be built this year.  With that being said, Joe Zueger has stepped forward to lead the effort of creating and organizing a 3rd party group to take over the facility process.  Joe has created this 3rd party entity called, Ice Sports Activities Foundation in an effort to bring the backing of business’s and community leaders to build a new ice facility.  We will be discussing the options of this 3rd party entity and answering any questions at the board meeting Wednesday, June 3rd. Please come and have your questions answered.

This is a Conceptual Drawing of the new facility. This is subject to change.

The 18.5 million dollar Quality of Life Bond passed 5-3 last night with
Council Members Anderson, Staggers and Costello opposing it. There were many people on hand to speak in favor of the bond with no one standing up to oppose the bond. Councilor Costello attempted to delay the vote for 60 days so they could see the impact to the 2010 operational budget, but the motion  was defeated with the mayor voting to break the tie. Councilor Beninga voted for the delay, but voted
for the passage of the bond stating, he could wait 60 days for the vote, but not another year. 
 
This is a big step in the right direction for the facility to go forward. 
With this passing Sanford will be looking to annex the land into the city of Sioux Falls and then be ready to sign an agreement with SFYHA or our 3rd party entity on the land donation to secure that.  The
infrastructure work is still being planned to be started yet this summer which will allow us to start things the fall of this year or early spring next
year.  Stay tuned for more information as these things start to develop.

Thanks to all the councilors that have supported this initiative and special thanks to councilors De Knudson and Bob Litz.

If you, someone you know, or a business would like to make a contribution to the new ice facility, just click and download the PDF below. This form will allow generous donors to make their pledge in the way they see fit. If you have further questions about making a pledge contact Jayson Drake at jaysondrake@gmail.com

The board is currently scheduling meetings with different contractors and evaluating the building options available to us. Thus far the board gained great insight into the building process.  A group of members has also met with and continues to work with the NSC Consulting Group who is involved with the Schwann's Super Rink, they have shared valuable ideas and options with us.
 
The board has also met and continues to meet with the Figure Skating group to determine what role they would like to take in the new ice facility.  Those options are currently being evaluated and will be presented after we have worked out all the details.