City of Topeka to vote on $750,000 ice rink

TOPEKA (KSNT) – During a special meeting tonight, the City Council will vote on a development deal with the Downtown Topeka Foundation to build an ice skating rink in the city center.

The resolution introduced by Councilmembers Brett Kell, Marcus Miller and Michelle Hoferer would redirect city money going to the Evel Knievel Museum to the rink with a proposed location in and around Evergy Plaza.

In 2015, the city agreed to allocate up to $300,000 of the city’s transient guest tax to the Evel Knievel Museum over 12 years. The proposal for the new rink would cost $585,973 in 2024 and an estimated $173,016 in 2025.

“The TGT Committee would like to extend the 1% for an additional 12 years to provide a source of funding for certain projects that the Committee believes will enhance tourism by putting more ‘heads on beds’ and delivering a quantifiable return on the city’s investment,” the adopted resolution said.

A PowerPoint presentation accompanying the special meeting agenda listed several possible funding sources: $178,000 from the Evel Knievel Museum’s tourist tax, $200,000 from an “unidentified funding source” needed to pour concrete by 2025, and $400,000 from a “title sponsorship” for 10 years.

There are three years and $167,000 left in the 12-year deal with the Evel Knievel Museum. The proposal specified that appropriated funds be used to construct year-round development and programming needs, acquire land, and prepare architectural designs and plans. Any changes to the appropriated funds would have to be approved by the city manager or his designee.

Museum co-founder Mike Patterson announced on Tuesday, May 14, that the Topeka museum would close for good on November 2, 2024. Construction has already begun on the museum’s new location in Las Vegas.

In December 2023, discussions took place within the Shawnee County Board of Commissioners to purchase the museum space for nearly $3 million. The board approved the deal that same year by a vote of 3-0, with plans to convert the property into an auto repair shop for the Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office.

The special meeting will be held at 6 p.m. in the city’s Council Chambers, 215 SE 8th Street.

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