Asheville Hockey League wants City Council to consider selling ice rink equipment to it

From an e-mail going around:

To all AHL members,

TheAsheville City Council is considering a resolution “authorizing the City Manager to award sale of Civic Center ice rink and equipment to the highest bidder”.  The AHL was unaware of this item until very recently, so in an effort to gain some time, the AHL requested that the item be postponed until the January City Council meeting.  This is not possible, so the Mayor’s office recommended that we come to the City Council meeting (December 14, 2010 – 5:00 p.m., Council Chamber – City Hall Building) to voice any concerns.

This item is currently on the Consent Agenda.  At the beginning of the City Council meeting, after the ceremonial items (proclamations), but before the consent agenda, the Mayor will ask if any members of the public would like to speak about the consent agenda.  At this point, the AHL needs to stand up, come forward and ask that Item G be moved to another part of the agenda.  …

Probable Talking Points

1.  This resource is an invaluable economic development tool that should not be lost to a sale that would take this equipment outside of the area.

2.  Per Jim Gelleny (AHL Ice Commissioner), several years ago we were promised that with any disposition of the rink, the AHL would be given first preference through Parks & Rec for the rink equipment.  At this point, the Parks Department is currently not able to step in, but rather has to be directed to step in, hence the importance of our efforts at City Council.

3.  The AHL Board believes we should request that City Council table the item in order to give the AHL, our private investors, the Civic Center and other City staff the chance to sit down and discuss a solution that will keep alive the possibility of ice in Asheville. 

4.  This is a great opportunity for public/private partnership to provide recreational opportunities to Asheville citizens.  The City has the equipment, the AHL has the will and access to the “ice” community, and friends of the AHL have the resources.