James Metzen Mighty Ducks Ice Arena Grant Program
The James Metzen Mighty Ducks Grant Program assists Minnesota communities in improving indoor air quality in ice arenas, and to provide financial assistance in eliminating the use of R-22 systems in ice arena refrigeration.
Application information for the second round of the 2020 program is available now.
Program Information
Eliminating R-22 Refrigerant: Direct Systems
Communities may apply for up to $500,000 per
arena to replace an existing R-22 direct
refrigeration system with a minimum one-to-one dollar match from non-state
sources.
Eliminating R-22 Refrigerant: Indirect Systems
Communities may apply for up to $250,000 per
rink to replace an existing R-22 indirect refrigeration system with a minimum one-to-one
dollar match from non-state sources.
Improving Indoor Air Quality
Communities may apply for up to $25,000 per arena for the replacement, renovation, or addition of automated systems controls for HVAC systems to improve indoor air quality and reduce energy costs.
Grant applications must come from a local government unit (LGU), a political subdivision of the State. The LGU will be the fiscal agent for the grant funds and will execute the application form and resolution. Other entities can be the owner/or operator of the ice arena, thus the beneficiary of the grant award.
All awards are for reimbursement of costs for completed projects.
Application
A complete application will include three physical copies and one emailed copy of:
1. Application form
2. Resolution of LGU
Deadline: Monday, June 7, 2021
If looking for feedback, application must be received at least 10 days prior to the deadline.
Please submit the electronic copy to [email protected] and the hard copies to:
Attn: MASC- Mighty Ducks
1750 105th Ave. NE
Blaine, MN 55449
Questions? Contact us.
Grant History
The Mighty Ducks Ice Arena Grant Program was initiated in response to a shortage of available time on ice arenas in all regions of Minnesota. It was a time of significant growth in all ice sports, but especially girls’ ice hockey. The community was already facing a shortage of ice time even without a growing group of female hockey players, but their arrival on the Minnesota sports landscape made the issue even more pressing. Instead of battling head-to-head against an already entrenched male hockey establishment, the MASC pioneered an innovative solution to resolve the shortage and provide greater access for girls to play hockey: help construct additional ice facilities. Thus, the Mighty Ducks Ice Arena Grant Program was born.
Mighty Ducks Ice Arena Grant Program (1995-2000)
The program provided grants of up to $250,000 to communities seeking to construct new sheets of ice, or $50,000 for renovation projects on existing facilities. These grants were all matched by local private or non-state public funds. The goal was simple: more ice for more players.
James Metzen Mighty Ducks Ice Arena Grant Program (2014-present)
In 2014, the Mighty Ducks Program was revived and renamed the James Metzen Mighty Ducks Ice Arena Grant Program in honor of State Senator James Metzen of South St. Paul. Senator Metzen was one of Minnesota’s most important advocates for amateur sports.
With the revival of the grant program, the mission was adjusted to meet the demands of aging and changing facilities. Phase 2 of the grant program was designed to assist local communities in improving air quality in indoor ice arenas and to provide financial assistance in eliminating the use of R-22 systems in ice arena refrigeration. By keeping existing arenas healthy and operating, the net result was the same as building new facilities- keeping access open and equal for all ice sports players around the state.
View the complete grant award history here.
The grant program is authorized by Minnesota Statute 240A.09.
To view the Minnesota Reference Library report on the Mighty Ducks program – Click Here