Madison Reporter

The City of Madison has approved an agreement to transfer ownership of the Hartmeyer Ice Arena from Madison Ice, Inc. to the newly-formed East Madison Ice Collective (EMIC). This transition is contingent upon EMIC raising $3 million in private funds for necessary improvements to the arena. The city will retain the right to reclaim the property if this financial goal is not met.

This decision was made at a meeting of the Madison Common Council on January 14, with a focus on keeping two popular ice arenas operational and addressing outstanding debt owed to the city. These facilities are frequented by various ice sport organizations and attract approximately 400,000 visitors annually.

The agreement specifies that EMIC will lead fundraising efforts to finance critical upgrades including replacing the arena’s roof, installing new chiller, HVAC and compressor equipment, and upgrading electric transformers.

Madison Ice, Inc., which has owned both Hartmeyer Ice Arena and Madison Ice Arena since purchasing them from the city in 2004 through a land contract, faced challenges due to increased operating costs and necessary facility improvements exacerbated by a global pandemic starting in 2020. Over two decades, Madison Ice, Inc. invested around $5 million in maintenance and capital improvements while managing operating expenses.

This situation prompted collaboration between Madison Ice, Inc., arena users, and the city's Economic Development Division to find a sustainable solution that maintains these arenas as community assets while minimizing taxpayer impact. The council-approved agreement provides a framework with strict conditions for compliance.