It looks like the Linclon Rink will move. It won't have to move this year, probably not next year, but probably some time after that. That was the message from Ely Hospital Administrator John Fossum when he met with the city Parks and Recreation Board on Wednesday. After months of uncertainty about the future of the Lincoln Rink site, Fossum met with the board to explain why the hospital board is asking the city to change from a 10-year lease to a one-year renewable lease on the city-run Lincoln Rink.

According to Fossum, the hospital would like to develop assisted living housing in the community and it would make sense to put it near the hospital on the site of the Lincoln Rink.

We know that we can't wait another ten years to implement this part of our strategic plan," said Fossum.

But at the same time, Fossum is quick to point out that "it would take a lot of things going right for us to do anything by next winter." So the city has at least a couple years to come up with a new site for the rink. The hospital has also offered to provide up to $5,000 toward the cost of moving the rink.

Unfortunately no one knows how much it would cost to move the current rink to a new site, even if the city has land available.

The board and community members suggested several possible sites for a new rink, including city property west of Sibley Manor, near the Timberwolves Ice Arena on school property, or on city property at Whiteside Park.

From a liability standpoint, it would be easiest for the city if they built the rink on city-owned property, rather than leasing property from the school or hospital. School board chair Ray Marsnik, who also sits on the Parks and Recreation Board stated that the liability issues may be a major stumbling block for a public rink on school property.

In the end, the board and Fossum agreed to meet again in February. In the meantime, the board will look at cost estimates for moving the rink and find possible alternative locations for a rink. The hospital board will continue with their pre-planning for an assisted living facility near the hospital.

We want to help out in any way that we can. We want to be a catalyst for change to get this process started," said Fossum.

Ely hockey coach Bob Bestul said that he could bring his varsity hockey players to help with moving the rink. He thought that other community groups could help out as well.

"The Lincoln Rink is an important part of the community. We just need to work together and find the best solution," said Bestul.