For Immediate Release – February 14, 2024
Community Recreation Initiative Projects Continue Moving Forward
Naming Rights Finalization for the Hockey Arena Highlights Fundraising Efforts
Hermantown, Minn. – The trio of voter-supported projects focused on community recreation have all recently taken steps forward in Hermantown, with the plan of considerable construction efforts starting later this year.
“It has been a long but exciting process to bring the dreams of a new sheet of indoor ice, a much-improved Fichtner Park, and the community-wide trail system closer to reality,” said John Mulder, Hermantown City Administrator. “Strong partnerships are helping enhance what is possible beyond the City’s sales tax contribution, which helps make these not just community assets, but community efforts.”
Naming rights for the arena were formally finalized by the Hermantown Board of Education at their Monday, February 12, meeting, securing $1.6 million dollars toward the newly dubbed NorthStar Ford Arena. The Hermantown Amateur Hockey Association and the Hermantown Arena Board also committed annual financial gifts to the construction project.
“The combination of sales tax, state bonding, and private donations are coming together to make something greater than was initially thought possible,” said Mulder. “Not only is this going to be an incredible facility, but also another testament to the power of collaboration and partnerships in Hermantown.”
The Arena Legacy Fund, a non-profit led by local community members, is working to close any remaining gaps in funding for the arena.
“Our dedicated efforts have significantly narrowed the gap, said Shawna Jokinen of the Arena Legacy Fund. “While we’ve made tremendous progress, there are still crucial fundraising goals on our horizon. We understand the immense value that businesses and brands gain by associating with one of the most esteemed high school hockey programs—both for boys and girls. We’re actively working to establish those final connections and create lasting partnerships. Continued community support is invaluable in propelling us toward these exciting achievements.”
While the goal is to start construction on the arena project later in 2024, Fichtner Park will see its work begin in early 2024.
“It will be a challenging year for baseball, and our other park users, as the entirety of Fichtner Park, will need to be offline for safety purposes during construction,” said Mulder. “But the upgrades to the park – from a new, accessible playground to the ballfields, skatepark, and multi-use court – will be worth the wait.”
On the trails front, the City recently took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather to clear right-of-way for future trail development in the southeastern part of Hermantown.
“We want the residents closest to the trail to get a feel for where it would be located as we plan to construct those significant sections in 2025,” said Mulder. “The trail continues to be a community favorite, and we know these sections will get heavy use when they are completed.”
Hermantown’s Community Recreation Initiative is a trio of projects funded through a voter-approved sales tax increase from 2020. The addition to Hermantown’s hockey arena received additional funding through state bonding in 2023.
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For more information, contact Joe Wicklund, Communications & Community Engagement Director, City of Hermantown, at [email protected] or 218.729.3614.