It’s not winter yet, but the city of Ames and Iowa State are talking about ice.

No, it’s not preparations for the frigid season; it’s talk about building a new ice arena.

The current ice arena, hidden behind a cornfield south of the Towers residence halls, plays host to ice-fanatics 19 hours daily. ISU men’s and women’s hockey clubs compete and practice in the facility.

More than 400 intramural teams participate in broomball on the ice.

Junior high and high school hockey teams play at the arena. Children’s activities also are on the program.

And for learners, there are ice skating lessons. ISU students can even take a class in the ice arena.

Currently, the ice arena is self-supporting, and the new facility, which will be in the same location, would remain the same.

A co-ownership between the university and the city has prompted ISU to ask Ames to match its $1.5 million commitment to construct a new rink.

Although the city must hold a special bond election, putting money into a new ice arena is a sound investment. Because it is so widely used, it would be foolish not to build a new arena.

Things are happening on the ice. The ISU women’s hockey club, started just last year, is popular and promising.

The men’s hockey club is continually ranked among the top in the nation. They typically draw crowds filling stands that seat 800 spectators.

The building’s use has grown out of its walls. It is not large enough to accommodate the constant use it sustains.

A new arena is needed. Three million dollars may seem like a lot, but compared to the demand on the current facility, the benefits outweigh the costs.