By Steve Morris

North Branch and Harris found out the hard way what happens when decisions can't be made in a timely manner.

At its membership meeting Nov. 15, the North Branch Area Hockey Association voted unanimously to pursue a relationship with Stacy to build a 32,000 square foot multi-purpose arena.

The association decided to not build in North Branch because the council was unable to make a decision in a timely manner concerning land and other issues regarding the arena.

North Branch boys varsity hockey coach Darrell Schulte said the city of Stacy was further along with the arena process in a few meetings than North Branch was after years of meetings.

North Branch City Administrator Bridgitte Konrad said she was disappointed the association decided to pursue the arena in Stacy and that it's a loss of a potential recreational facility to North Branch.

Konrad said some councilors had questions about the arena that needed to be answered before they were willing to make a decision. She also cited financial concerns for a deal not happening.

Harris, fell through, in part, because the association didn't have the full support of the city council, NBAHA president Jeff Henderson said.

Stacy was the only city that stepped up to the plate and made a commitment, Henderson said. He went on to say the Stacy City Council has been proactive concerning the arena.

"We have 100 percent support from the Stacy City Council," he said. "We just couldn't afford to wait any longer. We had to make a decision."

Stacy has plans to give the association a three-acre plot near the water tower off Hwy 61 near Doyle Fields.

Henderson said the association will work out a long-term, land-to-lease deal with the city.

Not having the arena in North Branch was not Henderson's first choice. However, he did say the North Branch city administration has been helpful to work with.

The Stacy City Council has not made a formal commitment, Henderson said. A workshop is set up to work out the details of the arena.

Henderson estimated the cost of the arena at around $2 million and the association is willing to do whatever it can legally to raise money and get it built.

Henderson said grant writing, fund raising and donated time and material from local business are some of the ways the association is looking at to reach its goal.

To date, the association has about $300,000 raised and needs an additional $700,000. The remainder they will take out a loan for.

"We are hoping to get community support through fund raising efforts," Henderson said. "We are open to any kind of creative way to make it happen."

Plans are to build an arena to accommodate 600 people and have one sheet of ice for six months and have it dry the other half of the year, for activities such as indoor soccer and trade shows. If everything goes as planned, the arena could potential be built by December of 2008.

Schulte said having an arena in the area will help build the hockey program. Currently, the varsity team practices in Chisago Lakes at 5:45 a.m. or at 10:10 p.m.

The kids in the youth hockey program spend much of their time at the East Bethel Arena, which for many is a 36-mile commute.

"Hopefully, hockey in the North Branch area will grow because it's easier to participate in."

When asked if he thinks a new arena will make the varsity hockey program in North Branch more competitive, he said.
"I hope so," He added, "We've been traveling all over the place for years."