GO TO WWW.RMUCENTREICE.NET

UPDATE 1:15PM
I was able to get this statement from Brad Folkestad, the Sports Information Contact from Bemidji State University:
" The stance of the President of Bemidji State University, Jon E. Quistgaard, is that if the funding does not go through this year, then the University has to take a step back figure out which direction it would like to go and then pursue the proper channels to move in that direction. There is no indication at this time that dropping Ice Hockey is the solution BSU administration is leaning towards. Getting the funding for the new facility only cemented the Ice Hockey program’s presence here. It is not the only way it will be surviving."

I asked Mr. Folkestad if there was any information about any news with the CHA Conference, only he had no more information than you and I at this time.

UPDATE: 1:04PM
Here is a look at the "Bemidji Reginal Events Center," which is what this $22 million is all about.
Bemidji State Beavers Ice Rink
Bemidji Reginal Events Center Information

UPDATE 12:25PM
Here is an article from the Bemidji Pioneer that talks about this $22 million in bonding that is said to be "95%" approved.
Bemidji Pioneer: "We're 95% There"

Here is the article if you can't get the link to load in:
Bethany Wesley: Bemidji Pioneer
"The Bemidji events center took another step toward reality as the House Capital Investment Bill was released on Monday, including $20 million in bonding funds for the project.

The events center also was in the bonding bill approved last week by the Senate Capital Investment Committee, which allotted the full $22 million toward the events center as requested.

“We got $22 million in the Senate and $20 million in the House,” said Rep. Frank Moe, DFL-Bemidji. “We’re so close. This is huge.”

The House committee announced its $1 billion bonding bill on Monday.

“We’re 95 percent there,” Moe said. “Who would have guessed that we’d be here just a few months ago?”

While Moe and Sen. Mary Olson, DFL-Bemidji, have been promoting the project to their colleagues throughout the legislative session, Moe said the support of the community has been invaluable.

“We couldn’t have done it without that support,” he said.

Area residents and project supporters have made multiple trips to the Capitol in the last few weeks to show their support, Moe said.

“And then a group of (Bemidji State University) students made a timely delivery last week of thousands of letters written by students,” he said.

The House and Senate bonding bills will now go before both their respective legislative bodies for an up-or-down vote and will then be debated in a conference committee before getting another vote by the Senate and House.

Eventually, one legislative bonding bill will be sent to face its final hurdle: Gov. Tim Pawlenty. He could choose to approve the bonding bill, veto it in its entirely, or line-item veto certain projects in it.

Olson told the Pioneer on Friday that Pawlenty is against funding the project at this time – and also is not in favor of extending the half-cent sales tax that would fund the local portion of the facility’s cost.

“I think it’s important for the community to reach out to the governor’s office and remind him of his prior support,” Moe said.

Pawlenty previously has voiced support of the Bemidji events center, Moe noted, and was in favor of the $3 million that was given to the city last year for preliminary work and design plans.

Moe said no one but Pawlenty knows for sure what he thinks of the project at this time.

“I still have to take him at his original word,” Moe said.

Funding for other local projects in the House bonding bill include:

-- Funds to complete the paving of the Paul Bunyan Trail from Walker to Guthrie.

-- $8.9 million for the Sattgast Building addition and renovation at Bemidji State University.

-- Funding for the science lab renovations at Bemidji State Nursing School.

-- Funding to help with the purchase of the former Bemidji High School site by BSU."

Original Story
This story has not been fully credited yet as true, but this quote has popped up on a few message boards online this morning:

"From Charlie Walters column in Pioneer Press on March 5th.

"Word is the Division I Bemidji State men's hockey team, which plays in the College Hockey America Conference and has hoped to get into the WCHA, will fold after this season if the state Legislature doesn't approve $22 million in bonding and renew a half-cent city sales tax for Bemidji to build a new 4,000-seat hockey facility."

Charlie Walters is a credited columnist for the Pioneer Press, and can be found at: http://www.twincities.com/walters

I will repost this news once there is more credible confirmation.