As many cities do in Minnesota, we operate a municipal indoor ice rink. We have two sheets of ice in our Community Center. For a long time now there has been a desire/demand in the community for an additional sheet of indoor ice. Recently the City Council has expressed some interest in investigating the feasibility of a proposed 3rd rink project. When the Eden Prairie Hockey Association heard of this interest on the Council, they asked their members to begin contacting Councilmembers and staff to express their support for the project. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, it’s a pretty good idea. Here’s a taste of what I’ve received in my email inbox in January regarding the 3rd rink project:
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“Skating is a foundation for any MN community. Any kid under 9 only skated once a week this year due to weather. Support the third rink. Thanks.”
“Our family supports the need for a 3rd sheet of ice in EP!!!!!!! Thank you!”
“We need and support a 3rd rink.”
“Not only do I support the efforts to build a 3rd rink…I also beg the council to upgrade the facilities as well….It is a complete embarrassment that the high school teams have to play in such an outdated facility. Have you ever toured other communities facilities??..Edina, Bloomington, White Bear Lake, Buffalo, Plymouth, Duluth, Warroad, Roseau, Moorhead, Brooklyn Park, Rochester, Apple Valley, Eastview, VIctoria, Minnetonka, Lakeville. Functional facilities that represent the pride and support of not only the local associations, but also the High School programs. The EPCC is outdated and embarrassing.”
“I am writing to ask for your support in obtaining a third ice rink for Eden Prairie. With two young children in figure skating and hockey we are becoming very familiar with limited and odd hour ice time (or no ice availability). My son�s Mite hockey team season has been disappointing as all practices since January 1 are scheduled outdoors due to a lack of indoor ice availability and the outdoor rinks haven�t been open.”
“Please support a third ice rink for Eden Prairie. I have no doubt that it will be well used.”
“I am contacting you as a voting tax payer with active children in Eden Prairie, to let you know that Eden Prairie needs a 3rd rink. I know that the Park and Rec referendum was passed and now is a planning time.”
“You need to do what is right for the entire city of Eden Prairie and build a 3rd rink. We are supposed to be an upscale community, but our rinks and community center are a joke. Please listen to your voters. We want change or our votes will make changes in November.”
“I have watched numerous trail heads and paths be developed that are used by such low numbers of people it is ridiculous. The way the outdoor rinks were run last year was joke! People will stop wanting to be here if we do not work together with our youth sports associations and our city to keep this a great place. I have seen the overall tax base of this community sky rocket in the last 5 years. The area around the mall is amazing. So where does all of that money go? Does more money from the general fund need to be allocated to Park and Rec, maybe so. You have ridden the ride of a growing community that you did an ok job with. Well guess what, now is hard part as we stop growing and need to come up with innovative ways to keep this cities so great. Either dig down deep and find some innovative and creative ways to get our community center up date, or get out and let the right person in. The kids of Eden Prairie deserve better!”
“I am writing to let you know our family lives in EP and we currently have 4 kids play hockey in EPHA. We are very much in favor of a 3rd rink addition to the EPCC and will vote for it. Thank you for your time.”
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I receive 10-12 emails a week about the 3rd rink. Most of them are concise and polite. Some are not. I’ve included a couple of the less-than-polite variety in this blog this morning as an example of how NOT to write an advocacy email to an elected official. Of course I’m not an elected official so I have to take what I get. But my advice to anyone who wants something from any level of government is that insulting and berating email is not going to help you get what you want.
Just a thought……..
