From an email I just received regarding Art Johnston’s Reader Column: (I tinkered with it a bit because it came in two installments)
I Just finished Art’s brilliant description of the behind the scenes actions of the district.
But why a hockey facility at Congdon?
The Congdon Hockey Association is a private group that floods the rinks, maintains the boards and fixed up the warming house years ago. Why would the district contribute money to this?A few years ago [with Red Plan money flowing like Niagara] the district gave the public/private Heritage $1mil. Even though they knew there would only be 2 HS and the improved DECC and Pioneer Hall were still available.
A guy with much hockey background had predicted that there would be a push for a facility on the East end. I told him, that couldn’t possibly be true. The Heritage was just built to cover DULUTH hockey needs. He was right. Looks like I owe him a dinner.
And will they take away the pleasure rink for the recreational skaters at Congron? Will they justify taking houses for a parking lot for the new rink? Will they justify taking money away from the Heritage?
What they don’t tell you is that the number of hockey players has been dwindling over the years. 1999/2000 had over 1000 registered with DAHA (Duluth Area Hockey Assoc) Current figures, maybe 550 (and this now includes the girls)
For the East End to demand sports facilities (no doubt using Dixon’s go to phrase “equity”) is beyond entitlement. It is robbery. Where are the priorities???
Wow, just unbelievable.
