Posted: 11/12/03

Ice arena supervisor will retire in 2004

Darrell Nelson, the man who has led the Maroon and Gold Ice Arena operation for the past 21 years, will retire in 2004. Nelson, arena supervisor, notified the school board and administration this month of his decision to retire effective Nov. 1, 2004. ìThis early notification should allow ample time to prepare plans for supervisor transition should the arena be re-opened for the 2004-2005 season,î Nelson said in a letter to his direct supervisor, Dan Poepard, director of community education for the school district. The school board on Nov. 4 accepted the letter of retirement. The decision comes at a time when the school district must soon prepare to face a crossroads with the ice arenaís future. The arenaís aging equipment is nearing a point where the district may need to choose between expensive upgrades or closing the facility. School district officials had been hopeful an ice arena would be built as part of a new community center in Forest Lake to replace Maroon and Gold but no such firm plans have yet come to fruition.

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