Staff photo by Fritz Busch The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved a $200,000 interest-free loan extension to the Sleepy Eye Arena Association Tuesday. Funds will be used for facility updates including air conditioning and dehumidification. The Sleepy Eye Arena is pictured above at 620 Southdale St. S.W. Staff photo by Fritz Busch

SLEEPY EYE — The Sleepy Eye City Council unanimously approved a $200,000 interest-free loan to the Sleepy Eye Arena Association Tuesday.

Arena projects include a de-humidification system with a $180,000 price tag last year, said Sleepy Eye Arena Association President Terry Heiderscheidt.

Other arena projects being considered are a new sound system, wireless heaters over arena seats and air conditioning to enable arena use in the summer.

“I’ve been approached by several people about putting pickle ball courts in the arena. We’ll be inviting people to one of our (arena association) meetings to learn just when pickle ball courts are wanted. We’ll have to look at what it costs to operate the arena for pickle ball and see if there is interest to fund it,” said Heiderscheidt.

He said there will likely be interest in other arena uses, after a dehumidification system is added to the facility.

Heiderscheidt said a new arena sound system is being installed now.

Councilor Doug Pelzel asked Heiderscheidt if the arena association is accepting donations.

“Absolutely. We’ll be asking for help for air conditioning after we nail down the cost. We are a 501c3 (non-profit organization). Donations are tax deductible,” said Heiderscheidt.

He said the loan request stems from a number of earlier interest-free loans from the City of Sleepy Eye.

Loan approval came on a motion by Councilor Nate Stevermer, seconded by Scott Krzmarzick.

The Sleepy Eye Arena Association provides and maintains an ice arena for youth hockey and figure skating in and around Sleepy Eye, supports the New Ulm/Sleepy Eye Hockey Association. The arena is also used as a dry floor facility for community events and school-related activities.