The Shawano Hockey League wants to take full control of the Crawford Center, which it now leases for nearly half of each year.
“We’d like to express interest in working out with the county to take back the building,” said Adam Gafner, league president, at the March 13 public property committee meeting. “I know it’s been a challenge financially for the county over the last few years.”
He asked to meet with county officials behind the scenes, presumably in a closed session meeting.
“I’ve met with the Crawford family numerous times over the last six months,” Gafner said. “We have their blessing to work that out with you guys.”
He said the hockey league is making significant improvements to the building. League officials just agreed to install a new chiller system in the summer and purchase a new zamboni.
However, before the county will entertain thoughts on relinquishing ownership of the building, officials want to deal with several repairs needed, as detailed by Nick Hesse, facilities management director.
“We’re talking about black marks on the walls, garage doors dented up, service doors dented up,” he said.
Hesse said he received some initial costs on repairs and replacements for the two garage doors, four service doors and another door with glass in it.
“Garage door-wise, we’re looking at $15,000 just for the panels; that ain’t nothing else mechanical-wise. That is installed,” he said. “Service door-wise, you’re looking at about $38,000 for five doors, and that’s not installed and not with jams. If you’re looking at jams, you’re looking at another $6,000. That’s a mid-grade door.”
To repaint the walls where needed would be about $2,000 for paint, not counting labor or other supplies.
All told, cost to repair the damages would be about $63,000.
He said it’s likely these damages have accumulated over the years.
“This didn’t happen overnight, but it’s pretty hard denying that it wasn’t because of hockey,” he said.
Gafner said the hockey league has used the building for about 30 years, and the damages haven’t been discussed in the past.
“There’s a walk-through every year of this building, and this has never been discussed until now,” he said.
He acknowledged that a kid or two may have intentionally knocked a puck into the wall and left marks, but most of the damage is normal wear and tear over the years — especially the doors, which are believed to be the original doors from decades ago.
Gafner said his biggest concern is the sidewalk sloping toward the building, which he said leads to water flowing into the building.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
Hockey group wants Crawford Center
