Little Bear East Shows First Profit
City Facility Built in '99
By Ryan Schlehuber

Little Bear East Arena and Community Center in St. Ignace ended 2007 $68,318 in the black, the first year it has shown a profit since it opened in 1999, reported City Manager Eric Dodson to the Recreation Advisory Committee Wednesday, February 13.

In 2006, the facility posted a deficit of $16,000.

Increased revenue from expanded programming and better participation accounts for last year's profit, said Mr. Dodson. The facility had $265,788 in revenue, $72,000 more than expected. Expenses increased $7,000 to $188,043.

"We've seen increases in our fitness center, aerobic classes, and concessions," said Mr. Dodson. "Our ice use time is up, and events like the Meet in the Middle hockey tournament helped out. I think more and more people are also getting more interested in this facility and what it has to offer."

Rentals for the conference room were up over 2006, and 2008 looks even better, said Recreation Director Erica Mattson.

"Last year we had 11 weekends open between May and October," she said. "Already this year, in that same span of months, we only have two Saturdays open."

The St. Ignace Hockey Association, the city's best customer for ice rental, contributed $42,580 to the revenue, compared to $26,700 in 2006, owing to the addition of the Midget AA Firehawks, which competes in a league with downstate teams.

Membership at the fitness center grew 37% to 100 members in 2007, said Mr. Dodson. Revenue from aerobics classes at the fitness center increased from $123 in 2006 to $424 last year.

Open skating was up 31% from 2006 and adult drop-in hockey was up 19%. New Halloween, Christmas, and New Year's open skating programs drew additional people, and more schools brought students for afternoon skating this year, Mr. Dodson pointed out.

Services added at Little Bear East in 2006, such as catering at conference room meetings and tablecloth rentals and cleaning services for events such as weddings, were used more this year. Those services amounted to $2,700 last year.

The city had been receiving funding through the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians for the operation of the entire recreation facility up until last year, in an agreement made between the city and tribe in 1999. The city, in turn, offers discount rates for tribal members who use the facility. The tribe continues to fund $32,000 a year to the fitness center, and will do so until 2013, as part of the 1999 agreement.

The facility is supported by local recreation taxes, with $78,015 collected from city residents and $11,000 each from the townships of Moran and St. Ignace.

In previous years, high utility expenses at the facility ate up the budget, and the Recreation Department struggled to attract enough renters and events.

Utilities costs, especially heating, have increased steadily since 2004. In 2006, heating and electric expenses were $30,868 and $33,098, respectively. Last year, heating decreased to $28,859, but the facility's electric bill jumped to $38,434.

"We did a lot of little things to keep expenses down, like turn the heat down in the facility," said Mr. Dodson. "It all added up in the end."

For 2008, the tribe has donated $20,000 to help offset utilities expenses.

A public open skating event will be held before the ice is removed March 16.

Mrs. Mattson, who was promoted from program coordinator and facilities manager to recreation director February 4, has been on maternity leave since Friday, February 15, and plans to return at least part-time after approximately three weeks.

Part-time employee Helen Thibeault will fill in for Mrs. Mattson in the meantime.