Council to consider one-year facility lease for youth hockey program at VFW and Civic Center
May 26, 2026 | East Grand Forks City, Polk County, Minnesota
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East Grand Forks City Council staff presented a proposed one-year facility-use agreement on Tuesday that would let a private hockey development rent ice time at the VFW and the Civic Center for the 2026–27 season at a rate not to exceed $25,000.
The proposal, presented by Mr. Hutman, lays out a framework of Monday through Thursday hours roughly from 8 a.m. to noon and a not-to-exceed rental amount to accommodate uncertainty about the program's exact hours and ice‑resurface needs. Staff told the council the agreement would let the operator begin this trial year while the city monitors actual ice use and refines pricing for future seasons.
Jud Stouse, who described the program, said the offering relies on school schedules that allow students to do online schooling while participating: "This program is only able to happen because of the school now picking up online schooling," he said, explaining families would decide whether participants attend half‑time or full‑time online school while in the program.
Stouse said typical on‑ice instruction would be about an hour and 15 minutes on weekdays, with additional non‑ice program activities on other days. City staff said actual ice usage could be fewer than the full four hours listed in the draft lease, especially in year one, and that the contract uses a not‑to‑exceed figure because exact hours and ice resurfacings are not yet known.
Council members asked clarifying questions on age groups and coach participation; staff said the program at present is aimed at middle- and high‑school students and that school coaches could attend sessions when appropriate. Council Vice President Tim Maria and Council member Dil Helms participated in the discussion.
City staff said they will prepare final lease details and place the agreement on next week’s meeting agenda for a formal vote. If approved, the one‑year lease would authorize the operator to begin using city facilities under the agreed rental terms.
The proposal, presented by Mr. Hutman, lays out a framework of Monday through Thursday hours roughly from 8 a.m. to noon and a not-to-exceed rental amount to accommodate uncertainty about the program's exact hours and ice‑resurface needs. Staff told the council the agreement would let the operator begin this trial year while the city monitors actual ice use and refines pricing for future seasons.
Jud Stouse, who described the program, said the offering relies on school schedules that allow students to do online schooling while participating: "This program is only able to happen because of the school now picking up online schooling," he said, explaining families would decide whether participants attend half‑time or full‑time online school while in the program.
Stouse said typical on‑ice instruction would be about an hour and 15 minutes on weekdays, with additional non‑ice program activities on other days. City staff said actual ice usage could be fewer than the full four hours listed in the draft lease, especially in year one, and that the contract uses a not‑to‑exceed figure because exact hours and ice resurfacings are not yet known.
Council members asked clarifying questions on age groups and coach participation; staff said the program at present is aimed at middle- and high‑school students and that school coaches could attend sessions when appropriate. Council Vice President Tim Maria and Council member Dil Helms participated in the discussion.
City staff said they will prepare final lease details and place the agreement on next week’s meeting agenda for a formal vote. If approved, the one‑year lease would authorize the operator to begin using city facilities under the agreed rental terms.
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