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To the Editor:
In regard to the feature article, "A Decision to Build," which appeared in the January, 2002, Victoria Gazette, I offer the following facts relating to the Buffalo ice arena mentioned in the article.
Total square footage of the new arena is 44,295.
Total seating capacity is 600. Bleachers are made of pre-cast concrete.
The new arena has an NHL-sized ice sheet (85' by 200').
All outside walls are pre-cast concrete and the front facade is made of architec-tural exposed aggregate concrete. There are over 33,000 square feet of pre-cast concrete. Your article noted "the photo showed that part of the building was metal." This was the existing ice sheet and not the new one being described.
The new arena has 4 team rooms and 2 varsity locker rooms, with their own showers and toilet facilities.
Weight room, conference room, and offices are housed at the mezzanine. The first floor houses concessions, skate rental and bathroom facilities.
It took over 400 gallons of paint to cover the ceiling and 560 gallons to cover the walls.
For the ice sheet floor alone, 265 yards of concrete were used.
This project also included 6 to 8 feet of unsuitable soil removal and replace-ment with suitable soil.
Donated materials were limited to some lockers, furniture, and "incidentals."
Total cost was less than $3.6 million including removal/replacement of the refrigeration system serving the first ice sheet and the new building housing the two Zanboni ice machines.
Numerous pictures were shown in the Wright County Journal Press dated December 13th, 2001. You may enjoy seeing these photos or even viewing the site firsthand for a more complete and accurate understanding of the quality of the finished product.
In addition, it shall be noted that the combined cost of the second sheet of ice completed at the Chaska Community Center just over two years ago (including dehumidification system for the first sheet of ice, the entire St. Francis Fitness Center and remodeling of the concession area) was also under $3.5 million.
The proposed cost of $5 million for the Victoria ice arena compared to the actual cost of similar facilities noted above raises many questions. To build an ice facility is a task to be carefully consid-ered. The project for Victoria needs further study and review.
Sue, I did appreciate the time we spent together last week, reviewing this issue, and other issues. Feel free to use this as a letter to the editor. While I represent Westra Construction as a business man, I am first a citizens of Victoria. Hope to see you soon.
Tony Haddad, Victoria, Minnesota
To the Editor:
How is everything over there? I hope fine. I heard that Bush said that 2002 is going to be better for the U.S. I think it will be better because it has been like eight months that your economy has been decreasing and it is time to go up again. We know that because everything that affects the U.S. affects us because we have lots of commercial relations with you guys, like roses, bananas, and oil.
How are the Vikings doing? What about the basketball team? I still remem-ber that Keith Garnet is a good player. How are Germaine and Father Elstan? Did you go to visit him? How are Jenny and Nick and Al? Hope all are fine. Say hi to the Victoria House and everybody. They were great people. Se ya.
Love, Xavier Alvarado, Cuenca, Ecuador
To the Editor:
My new address is St. John's Abbey at Collegeville, Minnesota. Thank you much and keep up the great community building.
Landelin Roblling, OSB, Collegeville, Minnesota
To the Editor:
Two issues have recently piqued my interest. They are the Victoria City Logo and Mary's Place.
I find it interesting that new people to a community want to invoke their political correctness on those who established the very mores that those new to the commu-nity found attractive enough to predicate their moving in.
In a contest to establish a city flag in the bicentennial year of 1976, the city fathers of Victoria recognized the spirit and faith of those pioneers who estab-lished the Village of Victoria long ago. The city fathers of 1976 so embraced those outstanding qualities as to accept a church in the city's official logo as it was depicted in the winning city flag.
And now, newcomers and some misguided Victoria city councilmembers want to change and remove the church from the logo. That logo serves as a great reminder to all of us of the need in our neighborhoods of the very qualities that established Victoria, and attracted all of us to this town. Why would we ever want to remove that reminder?
Secondly, isn't it interesting that Mary's Place meets such opposition no matter where she goes? What are we afraid of? This lady lives the Beatitudes, and she reminds us of our neglect for those in need.
I was appalled that there was no room at the Victoria "Inn" when she came knocking, and it's disappointing to observe the machinations of the Jonathan communities as she tries to find a new inn.
I would have hoped that September 11th would have taught us all something about the sanctity of life and the Beatitudes, but I guess our caring for those less fortunate is only acceptable as long as they end up in someone else's "inn."
Paul Stauffacher, President
Holy Family Catholic High School
Victoria, Minnesota
Click here for more February letters to the editor.
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