To the Editor:
My name is Robert Nordby.  I am a resident of Chanhassen and a parent of three boys.  I am very active in sports all year around.  I have been on the Chaska Area Football Association (CAFA) board for three years, involved as a coach with football, soccer, baseball, and active in the local hockey (CCHA) programs. 
Recently I became interested and involved in the outcome of the Victoria Ice Arena idea.  I would like to see this wonderful idea carried through to completion.
We all know that the surrounding communities have supported all sports activities and hockey is just one of the many fast growing sports.  The one thing that makes hockey unique to this idea of a new sports facility in Victoria is that hockey players pay to use facilities.
In football, none of our fees are paid to local cities and parks for use of the fields.  This is all picked up by Joe Tax-payer.
In baseball, none of our fees are paid to local cities and parks for use of the fields.  This is all picked up by Joe Tax-payer.
In soccer, none of our fees are paid to local cities and parks for use of the fields.  This is all picked up by Joe Taxpayer.
Victoria has $350,000 committed by paying hockey families, which accounts for +50% of the cost of the facility.  As a business owner and taxpayer, this is a guaranteed revenue, non-tax related monies, that are used for this facility.  Victoria is halfway to a much needed, revenue generating, value-added asset to the community.  This is to me a slam dunk.
Victoria will have much more than a field house with ice, running track, weight facility, and meeting rooms.  You will have added to our community in many tangible ways:  increased revenue to local stores, gas stations, shops and dinner; as a draw for new families looking for a community with sports facilities; as a city that will offer a solid sports facility.
This is an opportunity that the City of Victoria cannot afford to pass on.
Regards, Robert and Christi Nordby, Chanhassen, Minnesota

To the Editor:
As a lifelong resident of Victoria, I am so grateful to our mayor and city councilmembers for making the Field House/Community Center a reality.  This facility will accommodate all the residents of Victoria, not only the youth involved in the ice arena.  The walking track and exercise room can be used year 'round by everyone.  I was a member of the Victoria Athletic Association and Park and Rec Committee for many years.  Several years ago, when the population of Victoria was less than 1,000, we were excited to build an outdoor hockey rink at Lions Park in addition to open skating on Church Lake, but this is 2002 and our population is now almost 5,000.
Since Victoria has outgrown the Village Hall, we need a place for our youth, as well as a place to hold city func-tions sponsored by the various organiza-tions that are so important to Victoria.
This Field House/Community Center will definitely be a great asset to all the residents of Victoria.
Mary Moore, Victoria, Minnesota

To the Editor:
The Chaska Community Hockey Association (CCHA) serves boys and girls in Victoria, Chaska, Chanhassen, Carver, and East Union within Independent School District #112.
On behalf of the 400+ boys and girls registered in our organization and CCHA Board, I would like to personally thank the City Council of Victoria for continu-ing to visibly demonstrate commitment to the youth in our communities.
In 1996 the City of Victoria was a community partner in helping secure a second sheet of ice in Chaska.  In addi-tion, money has been spent on field devel-opment for youth soccer and baseball fields in Victoria.  The proposed field house will have a variety of facilities (ice sheet, running track, weight facility, meet-ing rooms, etc.) that will benefit almost all age groups within the community and can be used on a year round basis.
Hockey is one sport that pays for use of facilities, thus generating revenue directly from the users.  With 50% of our membership between the ages of 5 and 9, finding ice time will continue to be a challenge for our organization.  Before the second sheet in Chaska, we had kids traveling to New Prague and LeSeuer to skate.
If we can't buy our additional needs in Victoria, we will have to buy it some-where else.  We would prefer to pay our fees to facilities in local communities that support our membership.
We applaud the Victoria City Council for its hard work and extra effort over the past 15 months.  They have had a vision for the future, put a detailed plan in place, and involved the right people to make it happen.
We are excited to be a user of this facility and stand strong behind our con-tract to purchase ice.
Susie Blake, President, Chaska Community Hockey Assoc., Chaska, MN

To the Editor:
The communities in School District #112 have a history of honoring and cele-brating their young people.  Over ten years ago, eight Community Values were identified.  Young people have been recognized for displaying these values during a Values Week celebration.
Historically, this Values Week has been during February.  This year the com-munity celebration will take place on April 8th.  Once again youth will be honored.
The focus of the nominations for out-standing youth this year is service to school, church, and community.  Our school age youth contribute to community in so many ways.  Volunteerism, scouting, service in faith community, leadership at school, and community projects are a few of the areas in which young people give to the community.
To nominate a young person, send the following information to:  Community Education, 545 Pioneer Trail, Chaska, MN 55318.  Name, age, and address of nominee; name and phone number of the person nominating; and detail your reason for nominating this young person explaining why their service is noteworthy.  Nominations should be received by March 7th, 2002.  If you are a teacher, youth leader, ser-vice organization leader, parent or em-ployer, please consider honoring a young person for their outstanding service to community.
Arlene Borner,  District #112 teacher, Chaska, Minnesota
Click here for more March letters to the editor.