by Derrick Williams
Thisweek Newspapers

The Lakeville City Council approved more than $4.8 million in bids for the $9.2 million ice arena that will be built at McGwire Middle School.

The decision handed down at the Nov. 20 meeting to approve the bids was a formality necessary to get construction underway for the arena, which the city of Lakeville and Lakeville School District are working together to build.

"You'll see equipment out there in the coming week," said city Finance Director Dennis Feller. "By the end of the month we should see significant changes to the site."

The builder of the arena, Kraus Anderson, recommended approval of 30 or so divisions or projects for the arena. Those projects included items such as $343,900 for site construction, $112,400 for the ice rink's dasher boards and $684,000 for HVAC and plumbing.

There were other bids that the council tabled for further analysis, including the ice refrigeration system and protective flooring.

Other items have not yet been bid upon such as scoreboards and a zamboni.

The rink, which could open as soon as November 2007, would seat up to 1,000 spectators.

Derrick Williams is at lakeville.thisweek@ecm-inc.com.