For a number of years Bowie has been talking about replacing the current Bowie Ice Arena, with a two surface facility, because the current rink (first completed in 1971) has developed foundation problems.
They have gone an extra step in this direction, by creating a web page:
https://www.cityofbowie.org/newicearenaI think the new location, based on the map on that page, is a bit over a mile from the current one, but is somewhat harder to get to from Route 50 or the DC Beltway - maybe 15 - 30 minutes more? Completion is planned for 2020 or 2021, and will cost about $24,000,000, not including property cost, because it is on city property. Apparently, a single surface facility would only cost approximately $1,000,000 less - which has me a bit confused. The studies alone cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The initial feasibility study was completed in 2013. The paperwork available on the website may be informative to those who find rink construction and planning details interesting.
However, apparently, the information I previously had on city subsidy was not correct. While annual operating costs are indeed close to $1,000,000, they do get some income, so that the projected 2018 subsidy for the current rink is only $317,000, not including foregone income that could have been obtained from land sale or lease. However, the document indicates that this also does not include administrative/overhead "operating expenses" that, if I understand correctly, are shared with several other Bowie government facilities.
It is my impression that most government projects, including this one, involve some degree of planning, politics, discussion, time, and inefficiency. So this does not reflect the cost that building a similar private facility might entail. But if you have ever thought about convincing a local government to build a rink or other recreational facility, this page might convince you the effort involved is substantial.