BABBITT- A newly- formed group of citizens, calling themselves the Cutting Edge Committee, raised their concerns over the possible closure of the Ron Castellano Arena at the July 5 Babbitt City Council Meeting.

Jackie Bush, a member of the committee and a parent of two figure skaters, addressed the council with a letter outlining the arena’s value to the community, offering to help the city offset the costs by fundraising, and in the letter asked for the city’s support in solving the problem. Bush closed by saying the committee hopes to “work with the city and rec department to raise funds and come together on the issue.”

The Cutting Edge Committee includes a dozen citizens, mostly the parents of youth who use the arena. The committee has already begun planning two fundraising events, including a carnival at the arena on Aug. 5 and a benefit at the Municipal Building on Oct.14. The Cutting Edge Committee has asked the city to donate the venue’s rental. No answer was given at this meeting but a special meeting has been planned for Thursday, July 13 at 5 p.m. for the committee and council to make further headway.

After 49 years of operation, the Ron Castellano Arena in Babbitt may have to close its doors unless action is taken soon. The arena is a city-owned and operated building that has historically received its heat from the NE Range School.

Now that the school is receiving a new heating system, the city is on the hook for approximately $140,000 to update the arena’s heating system. What’s more, in 2020 the arena will need a $2.5 million update for compressors, as their current R-22 compressors will no longer be manufactured.

The arena is heavily-utilized and booked back-to-back throughout the skating season. The arena is home to Babbitt Figure Skating, Blue Line Youth Hockey, and is also used for gym classes, a men’s hockey league, open skates, hockey tournaments, the Walleye Whamma, and the circus. Closing the arena would be a huge loss, not only for Babbitt but also for the communities of Ely and Embarrass who have many children engaged in activities at the arena. Terry Switajewski, Babbitt city councilor, stated, “No one here wants to lose the arena, the problem is the arena was neglected for so many years we have to do it all to catch up.”

So far, the city has asked FJJ Engineering for a proposal on the bid process but has not committed any funds or applied for any grants. Nothing is guaranteed yet but it is likely the NE Range School will be contributing $25,000, an IRRRB grant for $50,000 may be available, and more funding could come from James Metzen Mighty Ducks Arena Grants.