Outdoor Movies in Woodbury? Update on Pleasure Rink for Bielenberg Sports Center Expansion

A fire pit, colored lights and the potential to show outdoor movies on a wall of the two-story lobby were among the highlights of a presentation on the planned pleasure rink for the Bielenberg Sports Center expansion.

“We’re trying to create a cool environment,” City Administrator Clint Gridley said.

The Woodbury City Council on Wednesday examined drawings for the exterior of the facility, a $21.8 million structure that will replace the dome and feature a lobby that links the new field house and existing ice arenas.

The outdoor rink would be constructed in a way that it could eventually be enclosed, said John Slack, a landscape architect with Santec Consulting.

Related: Splash Pad at Bielenberg Gets Lukewarm Reception from Woodbury City Council

The rink would have glass panels along the exterior and be usable for younger hockey players (ages 4 to 6 or 7), said Bob Klatt, Parks and Recreation director.

He said the space could be used during summer as a “sport court” for other athletic activities, and would also be available for rentals.

The fire pit would be visible from the entryway through the glass walls of the two-story lobby. Movable seating would also be included at the fire pit.

Councilman Paul Rebholz did express some concerns about a proposed grass lawn on one side of the rink. (There are other paved areas where people could watch the skaters.)

He said people would likely walk on the lawn often, and worried that the city may have to re-sod it frequently. Rebholz said it could “become a mess.”

Klatt said the area would be used to house snow during winter months, and the city’s other outdoor rinks have a similar layout.

Staff and the Santec landscape architect said they would examine other design options for the lawn.

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