Key Points:
Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Alder John Guequierre have sponsored a proposal to forgive $1.6 million in principal and the accrued interest and to sell the city’s two ice arenas, which include seven acres of land, for $1 each.
A community meeting hosted by Alder Amani Latimer Burris on Thursday, December 12, at 6:00 PM at Lakeview Library offers residents a chance to learn more and share their thoughts.
This proposal raises critical questions about equity, transparency, financial responsibility, the skating community's long-term needs, and the public interest.
Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Alder John Guequierre have paired up on a proposal to forgive $1.6 million in debt and accrued interest owed to the city by Madison Ice, Inc for their purchase of the Madison Ice Arena and the Hartmeyer Ice Arena in 2004, and to sell the arenas for $1 to Madison Ice, Inc. and the East Madison Ice Collective.
What’s Happening With the City’s Ice Arenas?
The City of Madison is considering a significant proposal made by Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Alder John Guequierre involving the city’s two ice arenas and Madison Ice, Inc., who purchased the arenas from the city in 2004 using land contracts. Madison Ice, Inc. hasn’t made a payment on the $1.6 million they owe the city since 2020. Their proposal would forgive this debt and the accrued interest, and authorize the sale of Madison Ice Arena to Madison Ice, Inc. for $1, and the sale of Hartmeyer Ice Arena to the East Madison Ice Collective, a new group, for $1, contingent on their raising $3 million for much-needed repairs.
While this proposal could preserve skating activities at the arenas, it also raises critical questions about transparency, accountability, fiscal responsibility, public oversight, who uses the arenas, and what’s in the best long-term interest of both the skating community and the city.
Why Is This Important Now?
Despite Madison Ice, Inc. being in default for four years—a default that was kept secret during that time—the Mayor and Alder Guequierre's proposal to bail them out is skating through city approvals faster than Eric Heiden at the Winter Olympics. Their proposal to forgive $1.6 million in debt and sell Madison’s ice arenas for $1 each raises pressing questions about transparency, accountability, and alignment with the public interest. Madison Ice, Inc. has not made a payment on the land contracts since 2020, yet the default was kept quiet for four years. The deal proposed by the Mayor and Alder Guequierre was negotiated behind closed doors, without allowing other organizations to submit proposals or providing an opportunity for public discussion about what best serves the skating community and the city. Additionally, the lack of an independent appraisal of the properties adds to concerns about due diligence and fiscal responsibility. There has also been a lack of due diligence on Madison Ice, Inc.'s ability to repay the city, and questions remain about the process the city used to assess the need for this financial assistance. Residents and officials are questioning whether this is the right time to forgive a multimillion-dollar debt and sell valuable public assets for such a nominal amount, particularly in the wake of a recently approved property tax increase aimed at addressing the city’s structural deficit. Broader concerns include whether this proposal sets problematic precedents for other city borrowers and whether the city has sufficiently explored alternative options to better serve the skating community and the public interest. Stakeholders also wonder how the proposal aligns with equity goals, city land-use policies, and broader sustainability initiatives. Ultimately, the community needs to ensure that any decision about these public assets is made transparently and serves the long-term interests of Madison residents.
How to Learn More and Share Your Thoughts.
The best opportunity to learn more and share your concerns in a forum with open, constructive dialogue, is at the community meeting hosted by Alder Amani Latimer-Burris:
When: Thursday, December 12, 6:00 PM
Where: Lakeview Library, 2845 N Sherman Avenue
What: City staff will make a presentation on the land contracts and Mayor and Alder Guequierre’s proposal. Madison Ice, Inc. and the East Madison Ice Collective representatives have been invited. Attendees can ask questions and provide feedback.
Additional Background Information On The Mayor and Alder Guequierre’s Proposal.
If you’d like to learn more about the land contracts, Madison, Ice, Inc., East Madison Ice Collective, and the Mayor and Alder Guequierre’s proposal, links to to additional information are below.
Full text of Mayor Rhodes-Conway and Alder Guequierre’s proposal, Legistar ID 86169.
Previous blog post on this proposal, Rhodes-Conway and Guequierre Propose Forgiving $1.6 Million Debt Plus Interest Owed to City by Financially Successful Nonprofit.
News story by David Ahrens, WORT, City considers bailing out Madison Ice Inc. Do they need the money?
Original land contract and amendments for the sale of the Madison Ice Arena.
Original land contract and amendments for the sale of Hartmeyer Ice Arena.
Legistar ID 21438 regarding the first amendment to the land contracts.
Legistar ID 47680 regarding the second amendment to the land contracts.
Legistar ID 65936 regarding the third amendment to the land contracts, which was never signed.
Madison Ice, Inc.’s federal tax returns (Form 990s).
Madison General Ordinance 8.075, regarding Disposal of Surplus City Real Property, which is the typical process for selling city property.
Madison Ice Collective’s business plan.
Upcoming Public Hearings and How You Can Participate.
The city will be holding public hearings on this proposal, and deliberating and voting on the proposal at these three upcoming meetings:
Economic Development Committee: December 18, 5:00 PM (via Zoom)
Finance Committee: January 6, 4:30 PM (via Zoom)
Common Council: January 14, 6:30 PM (Zoom or in-person)
At each hearing, residents can register to speak for three minutes or submit written comments. These are excellent opportunities to share your perspective and influence the city’s decision-making process.
City Officials Need Your Input On The Mayor and Alder Guequierre’s Multi-Million Dollar Bailout of Madison Ice, Inc.
If you care about the future of Madison’s ice arenas, now is the time to act. Attend the community meeting hosted by Alder Amani Latimer Burris on Thursday, December 12, at Lakeview Library, write your alder and mayor, and speak at one of one of the upcoming public hearings. These are your opportunities to voice your concerns and to help shape the city’s decisions on this critical issue.
Your input can make a difference. Whether you’re an avid skater, a concerned taxpayer, or simply a resident who values transparency in government, your voice matters. Share your thoughts directly with city officials and ensure that any decision about Madison’s ice arenas best serves the long-term needs of the skating community and the public interest.
Together, we can work toward an equitable solution that benefits everyone.
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© Alex Saloutos 2024.
These rinks are also home to Adaptive Learn To Skate Programs (which offer free skate rentals and classes to all participants with cognitive and/or physical disabilities) and the Southern WI Sled Hockey Teams for youth and adults. Our USA Men's and Women's Olympic Teams use these facilities for practice. Thousands of area youth and adults walk through these doors each month to be active, be a part of something bigger than themselves, learn a skill & increase confidence, and build a community. I would think we'd want to continue to encourage that. There is also benefit to the greater community as the individual programs within these rinks hold several annual tournaments and competitions which bring people in from neighboring c…
An often overlooked fact that is worth sharing: Prior to 2004, when Madison's Ice Rinks were under the City of Madison's ownership, the City's annual operating subsidy for rinks was around $250,000. Madison Ice Inc. has not had any city subsidies, grants or other government funding in the last 20 years.
As a member of that "skating community" I whole heartedly edorse this decision.If Madison loses these two public facilities there will be no public ice in Madison. No community hockey, no figure skating clubs, no open skating and no place for the highschool boys and girls team. I suspect thhe people who are raising a fuss about this just want to get hold of the real estate to put up more, high priced, luxury apartments. Stand up for public skating!!