The 30-minute visit by the committee is scheduled to run from 9:40 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. It will include brief remarks from city officials, including Roseville Mayor Dan Roe, and time for questions and answers from the committee for city staff and elected representatives.

In addition to members of the committee, state house and senate representatives of Roseville are expected to be in attendance. Supporters of the OVAL and residents are also welcome to attend.

The Minnesota OVAL opened in December 1993 with primary funding from the State of Minnesota. In that time, the OVAL has emerged as a unique facility with few peers in the world. It boasts the largest continuous outdoor sheet of refrigerated ice in North America at 110,000 sq. ft., making it truly a one-of-a-kind training and recreational facility.

Since its construction more than 25 years ago, the state’s investment in the Minnesota OVAL has allowed skaters from around the state, country and world to use, train and compete at a world-class level right here in Minnesota. As a result, the Minnesota OVAL has emerged as both a training and competition center for amateur and professional athletes, including nine Olympic speedskaters, as well as a statewide recreational destination.

Because of the OVAL’s metropolitan, regional and state significance and its economic impact by drawing visitors to the metro area – the majority of OVAL users reside outside of the City of Roseville – the facility has relied on the State of Minnesota for capital costs, with the City of Roseville responsible for operating costs.

In December 2018, the City of Roseville commissioned a condition assessment report. The report revealed that required maintenance to the facility was nearing critical condition for continued operation, including replacement of much of the refrigeration plant and brine pumping systems, and significant repairs to the concrete refrigeration rink.