Rosemount Is Exploring a New Indoor Ice Complex
TLDR
Rosemount City Council voted 4-0 to hire JLG Architects for schematic design of a potential indoor ice complex, capped at $200,000
Concept: two sheets of ice, ~$38 million total project cost estimate, 7.34 acres, 233 parking stalls
No site selected yet — city is in talks with landowners
This is early planning only — no construction commitment, no final design, no decision on whether to build
JLG is one of the top rink design firms in the Midwest
Rosemount hockey players, figure skaters, and their families already know the squeeze: one sheet of ice, way too many groups trying to use it. The city has been talking about adding ice for years. Monday night, they finally took a real step forward.
What's Actually Being Approved Here
This is important to understand: the council didn't approve building a new ice rink. They approved spending up to $200,000 to hire JLG Architects to start schematic design work and gather community input.
Schematic design is the very first stage — it's where you figure out what the building could look like, roughly how much it would cost, and whether a project is even feasible. After this phase, the council would have a much more precise number than the current rough estimate of $38 million, and they'd then decide whether to move forward.
Think of it as: the city is paying to do the homework before making a $38 million decision.
What the Concept Looks Like
The current concept (which will evolve through the design process):
Two full sheets of NHL-size ice
About 7.34 acres total site area needed
233 parking stalls required
Locker rooms, mechanical spaces, and spectator areas
A one-sheet version with future expansion option was also shown as an alternative
No site has been chosen. The city is actively talking with landowners in Rosemount about potential locations.
JLG Architects is the firm the city wants to use — they're described by Parks Director Dan Schultz as "probably the top rink design company hired throughout the Midwest," with experience in facilities across the region and beyond.
Why Now?
Rosemount has only one sheet of ice — the Rosemount Ice Arena, opened in 1994, which hosts Rosemount High School hockey, District 196 figure skating, and the Rosemount Area Hockey Association. Ice time is tight, and the community is growing.
At a recent goal-setting session, the city council identified indoor ice as a priority — along with the new baseball field, improvements to Central Park, greenway trails, playground replacements, and updates to Ericson Park and the Steeple Center. This is part of a larger parks and recreation push.
A council member noted that the 2008 parks referendum — which failed — also included an ice facility component. The city is trying a different approach this time: do the design work and public engagement first, get real numbers, then ask the community to weigh in.
What Community Input Looks Like
The design process will include gathering community input — figuring out what residents and user groups actually want in a facility like this. That means hearing from hockey associations, figure skaters, adult leagues, and general community members who might use the building for open skate or events.
The goal of that process: build something people will actually use and enjoy, not just check a box.
The Bottom Line
Rosemount is serious about adding ice. This isn't just talk — they're paying an architect to do the design work. The $200,000 schematic design phase will give the council real numbers and real options before any final commitment.
If you're involved in hockey, figure skating, or just want more recreation options in Rosemount, community input opportunities are coming. Watch for announcements at rosemountmn.gov.
The next city council meeting is April 7.
FAQ
Is Rosemount definitely building a new ice rink?
Not yet. The council approved paying for schematic design work — that's the first step to figuring out if it makes sense to build. A final construction decision would come later.
What would a two-rink facility cost?
The rough concept estimate is around $38 million. That number will get refined significantly through the design process — it could be higher or lower depending on site selection, design details, and bid results.
Where would it be built?
No site has been selected. The city is currently in conversations with landowners about potential locations in Rosemount.
What's wrong with the current ice arena?
Nothing's broken — but Rosemount's single-sheet arena has been in operation since 1994 and there's simply not enough ice time for all the groups that want it as the city has grown.
When could it open?
Far too early to say. First comes design, then public input, then a construction decision, then bidding and permitting. Realistically, a new facility wouldn't open for several years at minimum.
