Baltimore County lawmakers questioned a request for additional funds for a government-subsidized ice rink and indoor athletic field in Reisterstown this week.
A county Revenue Authority official told council members earlier this week that higher-than-anticipated construction costs have pushed the projected cost of the Reisterstown Regional Park to $6 million, requiring an additional $445,000 in taxpayer dollars. The parties agreed last March to split what was then expected to total $5 million.
Council members at a Tuesday meeting asked Revenue Authority Director George Hale if the project can still be profitable.
“You come back wanting to add another million on a figure you indicated was pretty close to the breaking point,” Councilman Bryan McIntire, R-District 3, said.
Hale agreed the ice rink is a unique and difficult endeavor for the Revenue Authority, a tax-exempt company that manages the county?s golf courses and parking garages. Hale said he still expects the rink to net $152,000 annually.
Under the plan, the county will contribute $3 million in capital costs and $250,000 annually for operational costs, plus 58,000 square feet of land. In exchange, county recreation leagues can use the fields free everyday from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m.
“The ice rink business is a tough business and there are plenty of examples that have struggled,” Hale said. “But we?re well inside a margin of comfort to operate profitably. We think we?ve been prudent and cautious.”
The ice rink would be the first in Baltimore County. Competition in the region include two rinks in the city, one in Howard County?s Columbia, one in Harford County, and one in York, Pa.
Hale assured the council he does not expect to return seeking additional funds. Assuming the council approves the additional funding Monday, Hale said he expects construction to begin in March and take about eight months to complete.
