Dubuque Community Ice & Recreation Center, Inc. to Relinquish Leasehold Rights Effective July 31

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The City of Dubuque received notice from Dubuque Community Ice & Recreation Center, Inc. (DICE) on June 17, 2021, of its intent to relinquish its leasehold rights effective July 31, 2021. The City is working with DICE President Marvin Heiderscheit to transition the day-to-day operations of the facility.
 
The Mystique Community Ice Center was designed, developed, and built under a Development Agreement between and among DICE, the City, the Dubuque Racing Association (DRA), and Battlefield Dubuque, LLC which later transferred and assigned its interest to Northern Lights Hockey, LLC. The Agreement commenced on October 30, 2009. Opened September 18, 2010, the building is owned by the City and has been leased in a 25-year lease agreement to DICE. DICE, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, raised all funds to build the Ice Center. DICE managed and operated the Ice Center on a day-to-day basis. 
 
The Development Agreement outlines the steps to be taken in the event the lease is terminated. First, the City must provide written notice to the DRA and Northern Lights Hockey, LLC that the lease has been terminated. Then, the City must offer the DRA the right to enter into a new lease on the same terms and conditions as the current lease held by DICE, for the remainder of the term. The DRA has 30 days to accept the offer and enter into a new lease with the City.
 
If the DRA declines or fails to accept the offer, the City must then provide written notice to Northern Lights Hockey, LLC who has the right to enter into a new lease on the same terms as the current lease for the remainder of the term. Northern Lights Hockey, LLC has 30 days to accept the offer and enter into a new lease with the City.
 
The City will operate the facility during the transition so that all events and activities scheduled at the Mystique Community Ice Center may continue while the steps outlined in the agreement are completed.

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