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<br /> <br /> <br />REQUEST FOR COMMISISON CONSIDERATION <br /> <br />ITEM DESCRIPTION: Ice Castles Epilog <br />DEPARTMENT HEAD’S APPROVAL: <br />CITY MANAGER’S APPROVAL: <br />No comments to supplement this report ___ Comments attached ___ <br /> <br />Recommendations:  Discuss/Examine loss of the Ice Castles Event <br /> Scout this year’s location and compare differences; discern if there are <br />ways to make our site work better in the future to remain a location <br />option <br /> Begin brainstorming other winter events to pursue or promote coming to <br />town in future years <br /> <br />History/Bkgrnd:  Late last month, staff received the disappointing news that Ice Castles <br />would not be returning to New Brighton in 2024, and instead will be <br />locating to our west in the City of Maple Grove. Per the CEO of Ice Castles, <br />“the main reason we were looking for a new location was because of <br />limitations and operational challenges with the parking situation in Long <br />Lake Regional Park.” <br /> <br />Financial Impact:  Events like Ice Castles bring significant side benefits to local shops and <br />businesses through increased local spending according to Twin Cities <br />Gateway (see attached report). Continuing our work to attract and retain <br />these types of activities should continue to be a focus for our EDC. <br /> <br />Summary:  Work on promoting events and developing destination tourism must <br />continue despite this unfortunate turn of events. <br /> <br />Attachments:  Twin Cities Gateway Ice Castles Previous Year Analysis (2022-23) <br /> <br /> <br />________________________ <br />Ben Gozola, AICP <br />Assistant Director of Community Assets and Development <br />Agenda Section: VI <br />Item: 1 <br />Report Date: 10/25/23 <br /> Commission Meeting Date: 11/1/23