A task force to consider the future of Ramsey County's 11 ice arenas will host a series of public meetings in November.

Ramsey County Parks & Recreation manages 13 sheets of ice at 11 locations, making it one of the largest arena systems in Minnesota. Earlier this year, the Ramsey County Board of Commissioners appointed an arena task force to study of the arenas and make long-term recommendations for the system.

The task force is made up of residents from each commissioner's district. It was created to "ensure the county is keeping pace with the changing needs of the community, effectively managing the arena system and providing the best recreating services possible," county officials said in a statement Wednesday.

The task force will look at a number of issues, including aging infrastructure, usage of the arenas and the cost new of mandates regarding refrigerant.

Ramsey County's 11 arenas are Pleasant Arena, Biff Adams Arena, Gustafson-Phalen Arena, Harding Arena, Ken Yackel-West Side Arena, Oscar Johnson Arena, Shoreview Arena, White Bear Arena, Aldrich Arena, Charles Schulz-Highland Arena and Vadnais Sports Center. Except for Vadnais Sports Center, all were built in the 1960s and 1970s.

The county board has set parameters to ensure that park land and jobs are not lost, county officials said. In addition, Vadnais Sports Center, Charles Schultz-Highland Arena and Aldrich Arena will remain functioning ice arenas. The task force may make recommendations for improvements at those facilities.

The first task force meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Ramsey County Library - Roseville, 2180 Hamline Ave. N. Following meetings are scheduled for:

Thursday, Nov. 5
6 p.m.
Merriam Park Recreation Center
2000 St. Anthony Ave.
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Arena focus: Oscar Johnson, Biff Adams

Saturday, Nov. 7
10 a.m.
Battle Creek Recreation Center
75 Winthrop St. S.
Saint Paul, MN 55119
Arena focus: Harding, Phalen

Thursday, Nov. 12
6 p.m.
Goodrich Golf Course
1820 Van Dyke Street
Maplewood, MN 55109
Arena focus: Aldrich, White Bear

Wednesday, Nov. 18
6 p.m.
El Rio Vista Recreation Center
179 E. Robie St.
Saint Paul, MN 55107
Arena focus: Charles Schulz – Highland, Pleasant, Ken Yackel – West Side

Thursday, Nov. 19
5:30 p.m.
Ramsey County Parks & Recreation
2015 Van Dyke St.
Maplewood, MN 55109
Arena focus: All

Monday, Nov. 23
6 p.m.
Tamarack Nature Center
5287 Otter Lake Road
White Bear Township, MN 55110
Arena focus: Vadnais Sports Center, Shoreview

Community members who are unable to attend but are interested in learning more or providing input should contact Sara Ackmann, director of arena and golf operations, at 651-748-2500 or sara.ackmann@co.ramsey.mn.us​.