MONROE, Mich. – The city of Monroe is facing the tough decision of shutting down its ice arena and displacing dozens of hockey teams.
The arena hosts several youth hockey teams, a couple of high school teams and other leagues and skaters, but it might be shutting down. The sign on the door says, "Temporarily shut down," but that could soon become permanent.
The decision isn't just about dollars and cents.
"At last work session, all six council (members) were for closing the rink," said Abe Younglove, who plays hockey at the Monroe Multi-Sports Complex.
Younglove is one of the hundreds of players hoping the city gives the ice another chance.
"I love skating here," Younglove said. "I bring my son here. If we have to go somewhere else 30 minutes away, I don't know if I'll be able to do that."
"It's not about making money, it's about providing a service," Monroe Mayor Robert Clark said.
The city is facing at least $300,000 in maintenance and possibly more for the ice. In its 17 years in operation, the arena has lost more than $2 million and hasn't turned a profit in 12 years.
"Times have changed," Clark said. "Many parents are steering their kids away from contact sports."
The mayor's numbers show there were once 400 children in the young program, but this year there are only 78 children. When the city had the same discussions a year ago, the same people trying to save the arena offered to fundraise for it, but didn't follow through.
"It was a commitment to generate funds for the complex," Clark said. "Unfortunately, that hasn't come to fruition."
Many feel rink management, which was picked by the city, has been the problem.
Younglove said the new manager who's set to take over the position could turn things around if the City Council doesn't shut the complex down.
"Through exhaustive process, they have the right guy picked," Younglove said. "Now the question is will they give him a chance to turn the rink around?"
City Council members could vote on the issue June 19, If they vote to close the arena, the city will look into alternatives for the complex, such as turning it into a senior center or a complex for more popular activities.