Raising ice arena funding; Volunteers seeking ideas, public input

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ANOTHER YEAR, SAME ISSUE–These photos were taken last September to illustrate the need to find operational funding to run Meadowbrook Arena. Village Manager Bob LaFave is at left. Updated viewing area upstairs is at right. Hockey Association volunteers are trying to raise money for the rink.

by Chris Ford
An effort is underway to secure necessary funding to keep Meadowbrook Arena open for general use as winter draws near. The L’Anse Hockey Association (LHA) is attempting to come up with the approximate $35,000 necessary to insure operations at the ice rink continue as in past years. For approximately 40 years, the Village of L’Anse has operated and supported the arena financially. However in 2014, the village opted to cut annual funding from its budget after losing a Michigan Tax Tribunal case against the L’Anse Warden Electric plant. The result was an approximate 300,000 tax revenue shortfall. L’Anse Village Manager Bob LaFave said the village cannot continue covering rink operating costs.  To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.