by Dennis Dalman
Troy Lenarz was overjoyed one day last year when he heard the Sartell clinic he works for, Regional Diagnostic Radiology, announced it would become a major donor for a new arena to be built in the city.
Lenarz, executive accounts manager at RDR, lives in Hutchinson with his wife and two daughters. The newly-opened arena was named for RDR because of its major contribution. Lenarz is still overjoyed after visiting the brand-new RDR Arena and talking with the young people there who were brimming with excitement about the facility.
Lenarz is a youth-hockey coach in Hutchinson. One of his daughters played hockey all through high school; the other daughter is adept at tennis and golf, which Troy also likes to play. He said he is thrilled the RDR Arena will not just be great for hockey players but for all kinds of other sports and events all year-round. The roofed facility with its all-season turf will make possible such sports as soccer, lacrosse, baseball, exercise programs and community events, to name just some.
The RDR Arena is now part of what is called the Scheels Athletic Complex in Sartell’s Pinecone Regional Park just south of city hall. The complex was named after another major donor, Scheels Sporting Goods. The other arena, the Bernick’s Arena, was built 18 years ago. Both arenas were built thanks to grants, volunteer labor, generous donations raised by the Sartell Youth Hockey Association and by funds from the City of Sartell.
The RDR Arena project added 30,000 square feet of recreational space at a cost of about $6.2 million. It was designed by St. Cloud-based GLTA Architects and built by Bradbury Stamm Construction, headquartered in Albuquerque, N.M. The groundbreaking took place about a year ago.
“The RDR Arena is a gigantic step forward,” Lenarz said. “There will be a large craft show next April in both of the arenas. Also next April will be a huge fundraiser with the band ‘Hairball’.’’
A second arena, Lenarz said, will allow for many more hockey tournaments, which will bring players, parents and fans to Sartell.
“That will be good not only for the Sartell Youth Hockey Association but for local hotels, restaurants and other businesses.”
One reason Lenarz was overjoyed to hear about RDR’s contribution to the arena project is because he himself and his daughter are hockey enthusiasts. He was well aware of how RDR has “given back to the community” through so many contributions and projects throughout the years. Such a generous contribution to make a second arena possible made Lenarz very doubly happy.
RDR, located at 1990 Connecticut Avenue S., has been thriving in Sartell for 20 years. Its radiologists provide services to many hospitals and clinics in central Minnesota, including the St. Cloud Hospital. RDR has partnerships and branch businesses that include The Vein Center & MedSpa (in Sartell) and the just-opened Alliance Imaging in south St. Cloud.
RDR specializes in CT and MRI scans, x-rays, fluoroscopy, ultrasound and numerous sub-specialties and procedures that include neuroradiology, musculoskeletal work, pain management and interventional oncology, to name just some.
“RDR,” Lenarz said, “is so proud to be part of this local community – of being part of the Chamber of Commerce, of connecting with so many and of making possible a multi-purpose arena that can benefit the community. It’s a win-win.”
The RDA Arena in Sartell is now fully open for a variety of activities. A grand opening for the public will be announced soon.
