The Clancy Arena in St. Paul will remain open until April 17, 2026, after council voted to extend the ice season to support the St. Paul Figure Skating Club and other possible spring rentals.
The request came from the figure skating club, which asked for extra ice time ahead of its year-end competition on April 18 and 19.
The club plans to use the arena for figure skating practice on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m., and for power skating on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m.
Administration said the arena would normally close around the end of March, likely on March 29 this year.
Council initially considered a shorter extension to April 3, but later amended the motion and approved the longer extension to April 17.
Administration said the biggest cost tied to keeping the arena open is electricity for the ice plant. Based on previous utility bills, the Town estimated the additional cost could land somewhere in the $5,000 to $6,000 range.
However, much of that could be offset by rentals.
The figure skating club is expected to generate roughly $4,500 to $5,000 in revenue, and administration said a separate adult recreation hockey tournament planned for April 10 to 12 could bring in another $2,500.
“I’m actually quite confident we have an ability to break even,” Jeffery told council.
Mayor Glenn Andersen said if the Town has extended ice in the past for hockey-related reasons, it makes sense to support figure skating now as well.
“This is figure skating’s turn,” he said.
Staff say seasonal transition can still happen smoothly
One concern raised by council was whether extending the arena season would delay parks staff from moving into spring and summer duties.
Jeffery said he had spoken with the Parks and Recreation department and was confident the transition could still happen smoothly, though some arena maintenance work would be pushed back.
Councillor Brad Eamon also noted the adult tournament could have spin-off benefits for local businesses if out-of-town teams are staying in the community.
Council approved the extension unanimously.
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Clancy Arena to stay open until April 17 for figure skating and spring rentals
The Clancy Arena in St. Paul will remain open until April 17, 2026, after council voted to extend the ice season to support the St. Paul Figure Skating Club and other possible spring rentals.
The request came from the figure skating club, which asked for extra ice time ahead of its year-end competition on April 18 and 19.
The club plans to use the arena for figure skating practice on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 to 7 p.m., and for power skating on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 6 p.m.
Administration said the arena would normally close around the end of March, likely on March 29 this year.
Council initially considered a shorter extension to April 3, but later amended the motion and approved the longer extension to April 17.
Administration said the biggest cost tied to keeping the arena open is electricity for the ice plant. Based on previous utility bills, the Town estimated the additional cost could land somewhere in the $5,000 to $6,000 range.
However, much of that could be offset by rentals.
The figure skating club is expected to generate roughly $4,500 to $5,000 in revenue, and administration said a separate adult recreation hockey tournament planned for April 10 to 12 could bring in another $2,500.
“I’m actually quite confident we have an ability to break even,” Jeffery told council.
Mayor Glenn Andersen said if the Town has extended ice in the past for hockey-related reasons, it makes sense to support figure skating now as well.
“This is figure skating’s turn,” he said.
Staff say seasonal transition can still happen smoothly
One concern raised by council was whether extending the arena season would delay parks staff from moving into spring and summer duties.
Jeffery said he had spoken with the Parks and Recreation department and was confident the transition could still happen smoothly, though some arena maintenance work would be pushed back.
Councillor Brad Eamon also noted the adult tournament could have spin-off benefits for local businesses if out-of-town teams are staying in the community.
Council approved the extension unanimously.
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