Council approves SAHA project

Superior’s City Council approved an agreement to help the Superior Amateur Hockey Association clean up property at its ice arena with a $200,000 stimulus grant from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

SAHA bought land behind its existing arena on Oakes Avenue in 1997 with a goal of someday building a second indoor rink. Previously owned by the Burlington Northern and Great Northern railroads, the land served as a fueling station for locomotives.

The organization’s plans halted after soil samples were taken in 2003, because contaminated soils would have to be removed before construction could begin.

This year, with plans to build two outdoor rinks on the land, SAHA contacted the city to work on grant opportunities together.

In December, the council voted unanimously to approve a lease agreement that would allow the city to take ownership. Tuesday night’s vote to approve a development agreement with SAHA fulfilled the second phase obligation to garner the funding.

The money, if approved, would clean up the site by digging up and disposing of contaminated soil.

Serck said SAHA is responsible for any costs not covered by the grant.

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