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User Group to Manage Whitefish Ice Den

City parks and recreation moving forward with negotiations for management agreement during 2015-16 season

By Beacon Staff

City staff and user groups have faced off this year over management of Whitefish’s Stumptown Ice Den, the reins of which are now poised to be turned over to a private entity this fall following approval of a management agreement.

The Whitefish Parks and Recreation Department has managed operations at the Stumptown Ice Den since it was built in October 2003.

City parks and recreation director Maria Butts said Ice Den user groups recently requested the opportunity for a management agreement.

The city received one application, which Butts described as a combination of user groups working together.

John Kramer and Murray Craven represent the Whitefish Sports Facility Foundation, which Butts said represents “a combined effort of both figure skating and hockey programs.”

Butts said the city is moving forward with negotiations with the foundation.

As interest in the use of the facility increased, the demands for higher levels of management and greater availability of use have also increased.

User groups in the past year have repeatedly requested the city provide the opportunity for a management agreement that shifts management responsibilities away from the city and toward user groups.

The city anticipates a contract with a single operator to serve the Ice Den for the 2015-16 season, which runs Oct. 5 through March 20. During this “trial period,” the city will evaluate whether the service should continue in the future.

Under the agreement, the city would retain $308,716 in user-group revenue, with any amount generated above that going to the operator. The city also will establish a $10,000 fund to offset the loss of user-group contracted ice time and the operator would be required to offset any losses greater than that amount.

The city will pay utilities for the facility up to $70,000. A $25,000 repair and maintenance fund also will be made available.