Commission approves six‑year management agreement for Mount Clemens Ice Arena

The Mount Clemens City Commission voted to approve a six‑year management agreement with RT Arena Management LLC to operate the Mount Clemens Ice Arena.

Commissioners discussed terms of the contract, including a $594,845.37 repayment figure carried over from a prior operator, a revised monthly management fee structure and a reduced operator share of net revenues earmarked for a capital improvement fund. Nick Poliske, who identified himself as the arena manager, told the commission he has run the facility through prior transitions and that primary tenants include the Mount Clemens Hockey Association, the Mount Clemens Figure Skating Club and area high schools. “We have increased business every year,” Poliske said, describing nearly two decades of experience managing the rink.

Several commissioners pressed for clearer financial oversight. Commissioner Manser asked whether the $594,845.37 repayment figure reflected the last bond payment; staff and administration traced the figure to loans made under a previous operator and said it had been carried in court for years. Commissioners asked that monthly trial balances or quarterly summaries include arena financials so the commission can verify that management fees and capital contributions are being applied as intended.

The agreement was presented by city administration as an update to an expiring contract first approved in 2012; administration recommended approval in part because the operator has stabilized the arena’s finances and met bond payment obligations in recent years. A motion to approve the management agreement passed on roll call.

Next steps: administration will finalize the signed agreement and work with the arena manager to include requested financial reporting in the city’s quarterly department reports.