AUBURN — Youth hockey supporters are planning a news conference Friday to rally support for building a two-rink ice arena near the Auburn Mall and convince city councilors it’s a good idea.

“Some councilors have lost the encouragement to push things forward,” said Thom Labrie, director of the Lewiston Auburn youth hockey player development program. “So we scheduled this to really get it out to our community the importance of this project to the athletic and youth hockey side and to the economics for the community.”

The news conference is scheduled for noon Friday at the Hilton Garden Inn. It features Labrie, Mayor Jonathan LaBonte, City Councilor Leroy Walker and representatives from local businesses and the Twin Cities Titans, the combined Lewiston and Auburn youth hockey league.

“It looks like some of the Auburn city councilors are getting a little weak-kneed and that’s because the hockey community has not stepped up to the plate and really made their feelings known,” Labrie said. “When you look at the players and parents and grandparents and everybody else that’s either a direct or indirect stakeholder in this, it’s thousands upon thousands of people in this area.”

Councilors are scheduled to vote Monday on a 30-year lease agreement with developer George Schott to build the arena his land on Turner Street, behind Shaw’s and across from the Auburn Mall.

Monday’s meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. in Auburn Hall.

According to the deal outlined so far, Schott would borrow the $8.5 million to build the facility using private financing, leasing it back to the city each year for 30 years, according to an outline agreement approved in July. The city would have the option of buying the property outright during that time.

According to financial forecasts, the ice arena would bring in $1.35 million its first full year. Costs would come in about $1.33 million the first year, leaving a $19,000 surplus. Costs include lease payments to Schott and $140,000 in property taxes to the city each year.

Plans call for the proposed rink to have seats for 800 spectators in one rink, 200 in a second rink, 300 in a shared mezzanine and standing room for hundreds more.

The new arena should also feature 14 locker rooms for teams, a pro shop and second floor warm spectator area with a concessions stand.

“Right now, we need to scramble for classroom space or workout space for the kids when the weather is bad,” Labrie said. “All of these assets in this new facility will make the developmental work and helping young athletes a hundred times easier.”

staylor@sunjournal.com

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