For Immediate Release – February 14, 2023
Hermantown and NorthStar Ford To Announce Arena Naming Partnership
Hermantown, Minn. – The City of Hermantown and NorthStar Ford are set to announce their naming partnership Tuesday as another significant step forward in the Community Recreation Initiative.
All three components of Hermantown’s Community Recreation Initiative – an additional sheet of indoor ice, a reimagined Fichtner Park, and the completion of the city-wide trail system – were passed by significant margins in the November 2022 election. The Community Recreation Initiative is primarily funded by a half-percent increase in sales tax in Hermantown, which will go into effect on April 1, 2023.
“Creating a top-notch facility opens up so many more opportunities for community connection, as well as aiding in the growth and development of our young Hermantown residents,” said John Mulder, Hermantown’s City Administrator. “A facility of this nature requires significant private support from the community along with the voter-approved sales tax – and the generosity of NorthStar Ford is truly making what was once a dream become a reality.”
Construction on the new arena is slated to begin in 2024. It will also feature upgrades to Hermantown’s current arena, greater accessibility overall at the entire site, and positive changes to the several outdoor rinks.
“Many community members have put in long hours over the years getting to this point, and the voters made the need for additional access clear last November,” said Mulder. “So, it is truly exciting and important to be able to say that NorthStar Ford Arena is coming soon.”
A pre-game ceremony and celebration will be held Tuesday evening as the Hermantown Hawks host Grand Rapids in a key varsity boys hockey contest set for 7 p.m.
The City is also coordinating efforts with the state legislature to secure additional bonding to support the new and upgraded portions of the site. Additionally, groups such as the Hermantown Amateur Hockey Association are also working on other fundraising opportunities to maximize the impact of the new opportunity.
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For more information, contact: Joe Wicklund, Communications Director, City of Hermantown at [email protected] or 218.729.3614.