| 12/2/2009 5:37:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article |
|
| Polar Arena Founders pictured on a plaque hanging in the arena are, from left, Bill Halbrehder, Elmer Priebe, Don Regan, Bob Johnson, Crist Langelett, Fred Mentzer, Bob Engwer and Gordon Labelle. The architect of Polar Arena was Ralph Corwin. |
 |
 |
photos by Linda Baumeister/Review
Linda Baumeister/Review
Bill Halbrehder, Don Regan, and Crist Langelett, original founding members of Polar Arena, will be on hand for the 40th anniversary celebration Dec. 19. |
| The 40th anniversary of Polar Arena will be celebrated Dec. 19 during the North Polars and Tartan Titans Classic Suburban Conference hockey game.
|
|
Polar Arena: much more than just a 'warm spot'
Wally Wakefield
staff writer
Polar Arena is much more than just a "warm spot"
It was something special - very special - when Polar Arena was the site of the very first game played in the storied "warming house" back on Dec. 24, 1969.
Sometime during the winter of 1968, Don Regan stood on the snow bank surrounding the outdoor ice sheet where the present arena now stands.
Regan was watching one of his kids play hockey. Crist Langelett was the referee. In spite of his layers of clothes inside a heavy overcoat, Regan was hunched down to try and stay warm. At the time, it was hard to fend off the cold and temperatures approaching zero degrees while watching youngsters skate on the ice.
At some point the venerable Regan pointed out to Langelett, "You know Crist. We really ought to have a cover over this rink."
From that chance comment, a very unique dream was put into motion. A few days later three people met in the kitchen of Don Regan's home. The group was composed of Regan, Langelett and legendary North hockey coach Bill Halbrehder.
Much discussion led to a simple drawing on napkin of a plan that eventually became Polar Arena.
Within days following the meeting in Regan's kitchen, Fred Mentzer joined the group. They began recruiting hockey enthusiasts and fundraisers and searched for volunteers to help with the community project.
The volunteers would include engineers, contractors, people to raise money and those with "connections" to help ensure the success of the project.
'A done deal'
There were few other "indoor" arenas - anywhere - when the project started.
Halbrehder remembered that Wakota - in South St. Paul - Aldrich Arena and Roseville's had just been built.
Langelett started to do his part by visiting with KSTP owner Stan Hubbard, who shared ideas about the arena he had at St. Mary's Point near the shore of the St. Croix River.
In the end it was that design, that was the inspiration for the Polar Arena look.
Langelett - who put off finishing an advanced degree in college - recalled that, "There were many tire tracks to the Attorney General's office before we got final approval."
He later took the proposal to the District 622 School Board and got their support as well.
In reality, it was already a done deal. Members of the Polar Recreation Committee had lined up all the votes they needed for approval.
Regan - who had the most influence in creating the arena - noted that it was, "a minimal tin shed, (but that) Polar Arena has - maybe more than any other - positively affected more people in this community than any other building."
Halbrehder and Langelett both concurred that Polar Arena has had a lasting and positive influence on the entire community.
"Polar Arena has been a lot more to this community than one more degree behind my name," Langelett said.
"Other than the schools themselves, Polar Arena is the most valuable community building in the district," Halbrehder added.
He said that Fred Mentzer - one of the original four founders - "knew about the mechanical end of it."
Starting with a meeting of three people on a Sunday evening in Don Regan's kitchen, Polar Arena began expanding from the very beginning. It went from a "tin shed covering" on the outdoor rink to one which would - with Mentzer's influence and expertise - have artificial ice.
They turned a dream into reality
But it still was a dream. Other people like Bob Engwer Sr., Art Meyers, Elmer Priebe, Bob Johnson and Gordy LaBelle became members of the executive committee led by Regan.
They formed a group that would not only raise money, but would build a privately owned building on public school district property.
They began to sell uninsured bonds to anyone who would fork over between $50 and up to $3,000 to fund the project.
"It was the first of its kind in the metro area, maybe anywhere," Regan said. "It was built on a wing and a prayer. There was a lot of faith, hope and love interacting. I don't know which was more prevalent," the 33-year chairman of Polar Recreation Inc. said with a laugh.
About half of the total cost of approximately $161,000 was raised through solicitations. The group went to the First State Bank of North St. Paul - now Heritage Bank - in an attempt to borrow the remainder of the amount it would cost.
Willard Herrick, the former bank president, told the group he would approve their loan if Don Regan would sign for it.
"I was reluctant," Regan said, again with a laugh. "But I signed and we got the thing built. It all worked out in the end."
A true community project
It wasn't long before volunteers hauled in the sand, poured the cement, built the bleachers and did countless other tasks. The wire mesh that was originally installed came from Aldrich Arena.
For five years after the arena was completed, the tin shed- run by Polar Recreation Inc. - flourished. It made money as a private venture and what they borrowed, including interest, was paid back.
Then, as was part of the plan, Polar Arena was sold to School District 622 for $1.
In the 40 years since then, rumors have continued to circulate about who really has the $1 bill the group received from the school district.
Then, as reported by former Review journalist Tim Schwartz in an article commemorating the official dedication of the iconic venture, "On Christmas Eve in1969, North High teacher Joe Sweeney and a group of skaters took to the ice to mark Polar Arena's official opening to paying customers."
Langelett, who was the Polar Arena manager for 24 years, stated in the same article, "Not a nickel of tax money goes directly to support of the arena. Improvements are funded from revenue from the rental."
It lives on
Through the years countless numbers of athletes have gone through the portals of Polar Arena.
From mites to peewees to Old Timer hockey leagues, they all have had access to the facility.
The Maplewood Figure Skating Club is a large part of the arena and has seen its number grow as a result.
When Tartan High School became a reality in the early 70s, the Titans found a home at Polar Arena. They remained until the facilities were built on the Tartan campus.
Numerous hockey players at nearby Hill-Murray were fledged on the Polar Arena ice sheet.
Countless other people, now grown or beginning on their life journey, have gained advanced educational degrees as a result of the efforts and foresight of the group some 40 years ago.
The mezzanine at the east end of the arena bears the name of Fred Mentzer.
There have been "special" nights for Don Regan when he stepped down - after 33 years - as chairperson of the founding group. Bill Halbrehder and Crist Langelett have also been publicly recognized.
But once again the revered Polar Arena will celebrate its existence. It is only fitting that on Dec. 19, School District 622 rivals Tartan and North will be on hand to do battle in a Classic Suburban Conference hockey game.
Between games of the JV and varsity, special ceremonies will be held to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the arena.
The four originals - Regan, Mentzer, Halbrehder and Langelett, are expected to be on hand to assist in commemorating the event.
Officials from other supporting casts - including School District 622 - will be in attendance and feted during special ceremonies emceed by North High and community iconoclast, Frank Sanders.
It will be nothing short of a gala affair. If you are now, or once were a member of the community, you should make a point to be at the celebration.
After all the events of that night will also be for you!
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
