I have no idea how good an idea this is, but if you search at places like google for
surplus skate sharpener
and
auction skate sharpener
and
estate sale skate sharpener
You see a few (presumably used) skate sharpeners, often at much lower prices than new - e.g., a few hundred dollars.
Obviously there are always questions about shipping (do you have to pick it up in person?), whether the machine ever was any good, whether it is still good now, whether it can handle figure skates, whether reasonably fine grain sharpening wheels are available now to fit it, etc. It's probably something that only a person more mechanically adept and physically stronger than me could reasonably consider.
No advice. Just thought I'd mention it.