Maryland Heights taps taxpayer funds for Centene ice center

MARYLAND HEIGHTS — The Centene Community Ice Center has failed to generate enough revenue, prompting city officials to once again tap taxpayer money to fill a shortfall.

Maryland Heights transferred $262,054 from its general fund to help make the roughly $2.2 million interest payment that was due Sept. 15, according to new financial filings released last week.

The city is required to make biannual interest payments, in addition to annual debt payments, on the $55.5 million in bonds it issued to build the $83 million Centene Community Ice Center, where the St. Louis Blues practice.

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Revenue from the ice center and the area's special 1% sales tax, which also nets money from the nearby Hollywood Casino & Hotel and the Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, contribute to debt payments.

But the facility has struggled to make enough revenue to do so because of rising and unexpected costs , disappointing attendance and a failure to collect sales taxes for several years .

The facility is now collecting sales taxes.

Earlier this month, the city approved the five-year deal with Denver-based Oak View Group , which will manage financial operations and provide regular financial reports.

Oak View Group, a global sports and entertainment company, was first hired by the St. Louis Legacy Ice Foundation, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Blues that oversaw the four-rink facility and concert venue until this summer .

The center, at 750 Casino Drive, opened in 2019.

A spokesperson for Maryland Heights said the city remains committed to making bond payments.

"Our goal is to ensure that the Centene Community Ice Center and Saint Louis Music Park remain a premier destination for years to come," according to the statement.

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