To the Editor:
We would like to express our support and excitement for the hockey arena in Victoria.  We have lived in Victoria since 1998 and have two boys in the hockey program.  Victoria is growing at such a fast pace.  It is time to add a community center of our own.
Hockey is one of the only sports that generates enough annual revenue to offset operating expenses.  This means NO out of pocket expenses to Victoria residents.
With the shortage of ice for our youth programs and commitment of support from surrounding communities, this is a win-win proposition for everyone!
Tom and Kathy Paradise, Victoria, Minnesota

EDITOR'S NOTE:  Hockey is expected to generate the bulk of revenue on the field house, in conjunction with other revenue sources, but the projection at this time is that there will probably be some annual expenses to Victoria taxpayers.

To the Editor:
Congratulations!  I hope you have as much fun at your daughter's wedding as our daughter's was several years ago.
Regarding the notice for the Easter Egg hunt in Chaska, I have checked with our officers and I am sorry to say, being as we are a profit organization and did not have payment for an ad in the budget, we will not be able to place an ad for the hunt in the Gazette.  Hopefully, if they get the Chaska paper, the Victoria youth will be able to receive notification through that or word of mouth.
Thank you for your time, and enjoy that wedding!
Mary VanSloun, Chair, Chaska, Minnesota

To the Editor:
On February 7th a small but vocal group of Victoria residents attended the city council meeting with the intentions of stopping the progress of the long planned Victoria Field House.  Most of the energy of the opposition to this well planned community asset was directed at the cost of the facility to the taxpayers of Victoria.
However, they do not speak for all the taxpayers of Victoria because, as a resident and taxpayer of the City of Vic-toria, I fully support this project as a wonderful opportunity for the youth of our community and the future expansion and attraction to those who will consider making Victoria their home.
In order to establish a vibrant com-munity, efforts like this field house are a necessity.  And as Victoria grows, should not its facilities also keep pace?
We admire and envy the progressive communities around us with their beauti-ful and purposeful community centers.  So let's be proactive in establishing similar community facilities so that our citizenry, especially our youth, can stay at home and have a center that provides a gathering space for healthy activity.
Living in a progressive and vibrant community means that we all have to in-vest in that community.  The Victoria City Council has provided long term leadership that has the future of Victoria in its best interest, and this field house is the next step in that planning.  These leaders are to be lauded instead of criticized.  They are taking steps to provide for the future of Victoria.  Let's get behind this project sooner than later.
Paul Stauffacher, President, Holy Family Catholic High School
Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:
I attended the Victoria City Council meeting of February 7th and am still be-wildered over some residents' comments regarding the new community field house/
arena.
An arena has always been part of Victoria's development plan, which has been reviewed on multiple occasions.  This was done through various articles in The Victoria Gazette and Victoria City Council meetings which are open to the public and aired on cable TV.
Residents have been given the oppor-tunity to educate themselves and get in-volved.  Why all the questions and oppo-sition now that we have decided to move forward -- 15 months into the process?
Victoria has spent millions on devel-oping parks that are only used part of the year, including the skate park, soccer fields, and baseball fields.  What cost benefit/field analysis was completed to justify cost versus community benefit on these projects even though the primary users are only one part of our entire community?
Hockey is one sport that pays for use of facilities.  Most of the costs and upkeep for this field house will be covered from revenues taken in by users of the arena.  One other favorable outcome is our local businesses will see increased revenues from visitors coming into Victoria to use the field house.  They will be purchasing goods and eating at the restaurants.
I think we all remember the dis-appointment and heartbreak we felt when Victoria did not get the new district elementary school.  Does Victoria want to continue to be dependent on other com-munities to offer services to its residents?
This Victoria City Council has a proven track record showing they have our best interests in mind, and they are pro-actively looking to the future.  This field house will provide a foundation for services and provide opportunity for our children.
The City Council has visibly shown commitment to youth in the community.  The City of Victoria can finally have something it can call its own.  I urge you to take a step back to consider the great benefits that only a few dollars a year will give Victoria residents, then take a step forward and fight for the field house.
Shelly West
Victoria, Minnesota



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