Imagine the chilling silence replacing the cheers, the empty ice where skaters once pirouetted, the echo of a community's passion fading away. That's the potential reality facing Duluth's hockey and figure skating communities, and it all stems from a single decision regarding the Duluth Entertainment Convention Center (DECC). But here's where it gets controversial... is this a necessary sacrifice for financial sustainability, or a devastating blow to local sports and culture?
For 30 years, the Duluth Amateur Hockey Association (DAHA) has celebrated the Icebreaker Invitational, a massive tournament that draws over 70 girls' teams from multiple states and even Canadian provinces. This year, the horn sounded in the DECC Arena as the Duluth Icebreakers 12U girls team celebrated a victory, a scene repeated dozens of times across various venues from Carlton to Two Harbors, Superior, and Fryberger Arena. The heart of the action, however, beats within Duluth's rinks, including Amsoil Arena, the Essentia Duluth Heritage Center's Sill and Seitz Rinks, and crucially, the DECC Arena.
But a shadow looms over the 31st anniversary. Next winter, the DECC Arena is slated to be unavailable, not just for the Icebreaker Invitational, but for all the near-weekly DAHA tournaments and the daily practices of the Duluth Figure Skating Club (DFSC). Why? The DECC board plans to repurpose the arena for conventions and events.
The temporary chiller, installed after the original ice plant was retired for safety in 2023, was intended as a two-year bridge, lasting until the 2025-26 season, giving DAHA and DFSC time to find alternative locations. (The city even provided $200,000 to help with this temporary measure!) But and this is the part most people miss... despite the temporary chiller being in place for over two years, no concrete plans for a new rink have materialized, and the demand for ice time has only intensified.
DECC Executive Director Dan Hartman's explanation is straightforward: the sales team has begun booking events for the DECC Arena beyond the chiller's lifespan. In addition to annual winter staples like the Christmas Village and Ice Fishing Show, "about three" additional events have been booked, with more opportunities being explored. This increased booking of events is a key factor driving the decision to remove the ice.
DAHA President Brett Klosowski warns of a “domino effect.” For instance, the decision to host the Minnesota Monsters arena football team at Amsoil Arena will displace the Minnesota Duluth men’s and women’s hockey teams, forcing them to relocate their summer camps and offseason skates to the Heritage Center. This, in turn, could lead to the rescheduling of other activities at the Heritage Center's Sill rink. While the Heritage Center can manage these adjustments in the summer, losing a sheet of ice during the winter months presents a far greater challenge.
Klosowski labels the potential loss of the DECC Arena as a “worst-case scenario.” The Icebreaker tournament, while exceptional in its scale, relies heavily on the DECC Arena, with games running from morning until night throughout the weekend. Without it, DAHA might have to relocate games to distant locations like Hermantown, Cloquet, or Two Harbors. If those options are unavailable, the organization might be forced to reduce the size and scope of its tournaments, resulting in a substantial financial hit.
Beyond the financial implications for DAHA, the loss of the DECC Arena threatens the local hospitality industry. Youth hockey tournaments bring in numerous out-of-town teams, filling hotel rooms and restaurants, especially during a traditionally slow period for tourism in Duluth.
However, the organization facing perhaps the gravest threat is the Duluth Figure Skating Club (DFSC). As they approach their 100th anniversary in 2026, the future looks uncertain without ice at the DECC Arena. Their primary home is Mars Lakeview Arena, but it also hosts the Hilltoppers boys hockey team and St. Scholastica's hockey teams. During hockey season (November to February), the DFSC relies on the DECC Arena, where it hosts its prestigious Northland Competition, drawing over 600 participants.
DFSC board member Lea Scudamore emphasizes the Northland's national significance, stating, "A lot of people go, ‘Oh it’s just a Duluth, Minnesota competition.’ No, what everyone doesn’t understand is we are always bouncing between New Jersey, Boston and us about who has the top three competitions as far as size.” Unlike DAHA's tournaments, the Northland generates a staggering 30% of the DFSC's annual revenue. According to DFSC President Jeff Manion, losing this revenue could potentially cripple the program.
If the DFSC cannot secure sufficient ice time, full-time coaches may be forced to seek employment elsewhere, jeopardizing the club's ability to offer its services and its essential Learn to Skate program. This program, which serves over 100 children at a time, not only introduces young skaters to the sport but also provides foundational skills for aspiring hockey players.
In an interview, Hartman suggested Fryberger Arena as a potential solution. While Fryberger, located in Duluth's Woodland neighborhood, was once home to Duluth East hockey, it now primarily hosts DAHA practices and games. Hartman believes that relatively minor investments could bring the rink up to par with the DECC.
However, DFSC officials deem Fryberger unsuitable for their needs. Moreover, the rink is already heavily booked with hockey activities. Manion stated, "If you look at the schedule, there is zero ice available from 3 p.m. until 10 p.m. right now – it’s not a viable option for us.”
Hartman, a former Duluth city councilor, recalled a consultant's assessment from over a decade ago that the city didn't necessarily need new facilities, but rather better organization of existing ice time. Scudamore countered that the scheduling issue stems from the fact that most skaters are unavailable during school hours.
Despite the DFSC spending over $7,000 per week on ice time at the DECC Arena during the winter (and DAHA often spending even more), it doesn't make the rink profitable for the DECC. Hartman estimates that the DECC loses approximately $157,000 annually on the DECC Arena due to the cost of renting the temporary chiller and covering operational expenses, compared to the revenue generated from ice rentals, tournament room rentals, and food and beverage sales.
More importantly, Hartman emphasizes the “opportunity costs” associated with maintaining ice in the DECC Arena and his mandate to ensure the DECC's financial sustainability. He stated that even the hockey community, during listening sessions, agreed on the importance of the DECC's financial stability.
The goal is to attract larger events to the DECC, drawing crowds of 5,000 people rather than 50. The DECC Arena, lacking the UMD Bulldogs' branding prevalent at Amsoil, is increasingly favored by musical acts seeking a more neutral venue.
Ultimately, Hartman, DAHA, and the DFSC agree that Duluth needs additional sheets of indoor ice, as well as more turf fields and other amenities for youth sports. The city of Duluth has acknowledged this need, but has not yet provided comment on this specific issue.
Judnick-Reder remains hopeful that funding for new facilities will materialize soon, but in the meantime, the DFSC needs a temporary solution. She expressed hope that the DECC would be a willing community partner in finding a bridge facility.
Hartman, however, argues that the DECC board has already gone “above and beyond” by absorbing the cost of the temporary chiller, far exceeding the revenue generated from ice rentals, under the assumption that DAHA and DFSC would seek alternative locations. He also stated that the DECC is exploring creative ways to support the programs and that "nothing is final until it's final."
So, what do you think? Has the DECC truly gone "above and beyond"? Is prioritizing financial sustainability the right call, even if it jeopardizes beloved community programs? Or should the city step in to provide more substantial support for these vital organizations? Share your thoughts in the comments below! What creative solutions might exist that haven't been considered yet?
